Firms told business rates rise help still weeks away

Struggling firms have been told they must wait weeks more to see the benefit of business reliefs, despite Aberdeenshire Council now having the right software.

Hotels, restaurants and offices across the region have already had to wait months to see the change applied to their bills due to the IT delays.

Under-pressure Holyrood finance bosses announced in February a cap on rises at 12.5% for the hospitality sector, and the office sector including restaurants, hotels, caravan parks and pubs.

But the Scottish Government only issued formal legislation on the help scheme on March 17, just weeks before the rates rises came into effect on April 1.

That left local authorities with too little time to arrange the necessary software to process the policy, forcing them to issue bills without the relief implemented. Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed the new software has been received and is currently being tested after which letters will be sent out to those who have applied for relief.

Stonehaven hotelier Sheila Howarth said: “I have not received any letters in connection with the relief scheme, nor anything with regards to my appeal.”

Mrs Howarth led the campaign for a rates reduction when the latest valuations were announced in January, with some businesses facing increases of 250%.

In March, the authority agreed a local £3m plan to provide relief to firms worst hit by the incoming hike in business rates, but the scheme will not apply to businesses already set to receive national support.

Full details of the scheme can be found on the council website.