Minister welcomes Assembly support for Rates Bill

SDLP Councillor John Doris voiced his support for the Rates Relief Scheme, which will assist many small businesses across the District and further afield, writes Anne O'Hare.

Councillor Doris said: “The principle of this move is welcome and is a good first step. In addition to this scheme we believe it should be improved further in respect of helping some of the larger stores who do not have big profit margins. It is something that could be done more fairly and framed for the longer-term.

“This move will be welcomed by local traders who have made a reasoned and forceful case for measures to support independent town and city centre businesses. Many small businesses are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn and the rates bill could make the difference between the business continuing to trade or it deciding to close with the loss of local jobs.

“Local traders have highlighted the unfair competition of large out-of-town retail centres which are paying relatively small rates for their large trading margins. This contrasts with the high rates bills, problematic and pricey parking, and planning constraints which the town centre traders are faced with.

“The Finance Minister has rightly recognised the trading pressures of smaller businesses across the north and I hope this measure will help many of our local businesses at this time and protect jobs in our cities, towns and villages.”

Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson welcomed Assembly support for the Rates (Amendment) Bill, which introduces a large retail levy to fund additional help for small businesses.

Following the second stage of the debate on the Bill the Minister said: “This Bill introduces a number of measures aimed at rebalancing the rating system during the continuing economic downturn.

“This includes the introduction of a 15 per cent levy, on average, on the largest shops, which will help fund an extension of the small business rate relief scheme. This will assist up to 8,300 business ratepayers, with around £6million likely to be awarded in 2012/13. Both measures will be time limited in legislation to three years, through to 31 March 2015.

“The Bill also contains provisions aimed at making our town and city centres more vibrant, allowing business ratepayers to brighten up shop windows with non-commercial window displays without incurring full occupied rates.”

The Minister continued: “I also want to do more to help get long term empty shops back in business in the next rating year. Next week I will table an amendment to the Bill aimed at revitalising our town centres and shopping areas.

“The Executive has agreed a one year concession that will effectively allow 50 per cent empty property relief to continue for a year. This will apply to long term empty shops, which become occupied in 2012/13. The property will have to have been empty for 12 months or more, with relief then awarded for up to 12 months.”

“Furthermore, the Bill includes provision to clarify the valuation assumptions used at a non-domestic revaluation and also repeal the rule applied to properties valued by reference to their volume of trade, for example public houses. These changes will take effect at the next general revaluation scheduled for 2015.”