Row over business rates

Businesses in Renfrewshire have been“left in limbo”as they wait to hear the outcome of their appeals on rate changes, according to a Tory politician.

Conservative MSP Maurice Golden has claimed the Scottish Government must speed up the process of considering appeals on increases made to traders’nondomestic rates.

At the end of September, just 508 of 2,150 appeals were resolved - leaving 1,642 businesses in the lurch.

Mr Golden said:“It is completely unacceptable that over 1,600 businesses in Renfrewshire are stuck in no man’s land when it comes to the outcome of their business rate appeal.

“At a time when the Scottish Government should be doing all they can to support our local businesses, they are being left in limbo when it comes to their rates valuation.

“If the SNP want to show a clear sign of support for businesses in Renfrewshire, then they could start by speeding up the appeals process system in order to give them a greater degree of certainty.”

The rateable value of a property is based on its estimated open market rental value on a specific date.

The most recent reevaluation took effect on April 1 last year.

Paisley Northwest councillor John McIntyre, a member of Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board, believes more appeals are being made by businesses in the first place.

He explained:“People are not trading as well and they’re very concerned with their operational costs.

“When you combine that with this window to appeal, they’re likely to put in that appeal even if they’re not sure of that outcome.”

Kate Forbes, minister for Public Finance, said the appeals system could be reformed as the Scottish Government looks at ways to support businesses.

She said:“We are doing all we can to support the wider Scottish economy, and we provide the most competitive package rates relief package in the UK, worth around £720 million, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme, which alone lifts over 100,000 properties out of rates altogether.

“We are taking forward the recommendations of the independent Barclay Review on non-domestic rates, including reforming the appeals system, as a matter of priority.

“The consultation closed in September.”