Business Rates Petition

Petition against increase in business rates

The Royal Borough is opposed to the huge increase in business rates which will come into effect in 2010/11.

All political groups on the council have joined forces with Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce, Windsor District Chamber of Commerce, Eton Traders' Association and local town partnerships to organise a petition against the increases, which will mean many local businesses facing rises of more than 50%.

This will have a huge detrimental impact on all businesses and a knock-on effect across the country, especially when the economic and financial markets have been so badly affected. The 'death toll' will ring for many.

In Scotland business rates remain at the same level and have not been subjected to any increase.

The government needs to listen to the people and review the revaluation that was calculated by the Valuation Office Agency in April 2008 - before the recession began.

Signed
Cllr David Burbage, council leader, leader of the Conservative Group and chairman Maidenhead Town Partnership
Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group
Cllr Cynthia Endacott, leader of the West Windsor Residents' Association Group
Cllr Eric Wiles, leader of the Old Windsor Residents' Association Group
Cllr Colin Rayner, chairman Windsor Town Partnership
Eddie Pearce, president Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce
David Jessey, president Windsor District Chamber of Commerce
Halid Izzet, chairman Eton Traders' Association
Cllr Peter Moyle, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council
Cllr Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council

The petition

We oppose the huge increase in business rates for 2010/11. The economic and financial situation has changed dramatically since the business rental valuation was assessed in April 2008 for implementation in 2010/11. This 50% plus rise in business rates will cause hardship for businesses and we urge the government to review the situation in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) to allow growth during the economic downturn.

The online petition is now closed - 329 forms have been received and these will be added to the other signatures.

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