Council slated over rates

A NURSERY boss has criticised Fife Council over a business rates row he said “still leaves a bitter taste”.

Nearly four years ago, nurseries including Lauriston Nursery in Dunfermline and Building Blocks in Rosyth were hit with a 150% rise in business rates.

Lauriston Nursery director Ewan Cameron said the rise was so great he would have been paying less if he opened new premises on Edinburgh’s George Street.

Fearing for the future of their businesses, the nurseries appealed and the rates were lowered. Mr Cameron said: “In 2010 we knew the rates were going to go up. However, there was no way we could have budgeted for an increase of more than 150%, resulting in nurseries in the Dunfermline area paying more than 50% more in rates than if we opened up a new facility in George Street in Edinburgh.

“Despite achieving the reduction, it still leaves a bitter taste, having to spend a lot of time, resources and financial outlay to obtain a level playing field for our businesses and ensure companies in Dunfermline and the surrounding areas are not subsidising companies in other areas in Fife. Fife Council have a slogan: ‘Fife, the best place to do business’. Their actions and prejudices would make you think otherwise.”

Building Blocks director Laura Taylor was satisfied with the outcome. She said: “We’re pleased the rates have been reduced and, going forward, that’s going to be beneficial for us as a nursery.”

Fife Council assistant assessor Walter Smith said: “The assessor is independent of Fife Council when carrying out rating valuations and does so in accordance with legislation and case law.

“The ratepayers in these cases appealed their valuations and these have now been resolved.”

In 2010 The Courier reported that a re-evaluation by Fife Council meant a number of private day nurseries were being charged more in rates than Dunfermline Athletic’s football ground, which holds more than 12,500 people.

Lauriston Nursery revealed its rates bill had gone up to £51,750 for the year, £31,000 more than it previously paid.

Meanwhile, East End Park, home of the Pars, was at the time charged just £37,500 per year.