howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
There is certainly a problem with business rates. The most important reform though must be to return them to local control, rate setting and local spending. That way Councils can make sure the rates reflect the local economy and needs. Revaluation would just be tinkering and swapping around creating new winners and new losers and who is to say whether the right people will actually gain.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Barryw
I think i support your views for local control, although we need councils that can deliver rather than waste dosh
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 782- Registered: 4 Oct 2012
- Posts: 357
The business rates should be re-valued in 2015, however this has been pushed forward to 2017. The cynics will suggest that this subject is such a hot potato that the government couldn't possibly have this on the agenda in an election year!
The problem is of course is that under this system which is based on commercial rents, rents have reduced sometimes by more than half. In turn this means that the rate will have to increase significantly to achieve even a level income. Whichever way you look at it, the old system has had its day, but it will take a very brave and charismatic leader to reform this one and keep everyone happy. I don't think we have one available, so the problem will continue to strangle business and thwart progress for years to come.
Empty rates and now of course empty property council tax may well be held us as incentives to Landlords to get empty properties let, but in reality it causes rents to fall even further and Landlords less willing to improve their properties because of the higher cost burden. All in all this is as much of a disaster for the business community has the internet has been for high Street retailing.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
at the end of the day businesses don't have a vote so difficult to see any government, cobbled together or not, doing anything other than use business rates as a cash cow.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
You beat me to it Howard.
This was discussed at the last full Council meeting. It may only be a salvo, but it needed saying. I do think (as I've said on another thread) that there should be someone local small businesses can turn to for help, even if it is only to determine that they are paying the correct amount and all discounts/rebates etc. have been given or applied for.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
This change should be of benefit to Dover as we send more to the exchequer than we get back.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34445311Guest 1391- Registered: 1 Nov 2014
- Posts: 199
The devil is in the detail will not come into force until 2020; like extension of child care not coming into effect until 2017.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Unless the Northern councils are propped up in some way,this will not be the panacea the headlines define.
Dover certainly would be better off if the scheme is as simple as the headlines suggest. Don't believe there will not be adjustments to pare it back & keep the North afloat.
By 2020 local government in East Kent will look very different. Mergers, changes of powers & certainly the elected Mayor whatever the geographical spread of local government.
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Be good to see the back of DDC by 2020 and replaced with more transparency and equal representation of East Kent urban and rural areas. Hopefully we might even get leadership that interacts with communities it is suppose to represent rather than just posting titbits on a forum for Dovorians.
Jack of Hearts
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I don't agree with the above .I can assure all. the rural areas are well represented .The Capel member works very hard and I certainly looked after Alkham and for a time Temple Ewell and Lydden.
When I was Chairman I visited 28 of the Parishes .Aylesham was one of them.by doing this I was invited back to attend various events in their villages.
All Councillors have the chance to speak at Full Council .I found when they merged wards to truly represent 2000 people was difficult .With larger area such as an East Kent merger it will be even more difficult .I prided myself on knowing many many people whom I represented
May I politely suggest you stop bashing DDC.
I can also say The Leader of the Council always welcomed visitors to his office.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
This is the first I have heard of any merger with other councils although I realise some services are shared and housing is handled by East Kent housing. Would any Mayor have to be elected and have powers to make decisions?
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Sue, the problem is Dover District Council forgot who it was suppose to represent. Dover District, Visit Dover, Invest in Dover - the services the council offers are all Dover centric and yet the demographics have and will change as the urban areas of Deal, Sandwich and Whitfield expand. The council is completely out of touch with these communities. Is your leader part of the community where he lives, do people warmly greet him as he walks around Deal? No, he is better known in Dover. I think you will be surprised at how many people can't wait for an East Kent authority.
Jack of Hearts
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
Howard this has been on the cards for a long time .I would have stayed on if re elected for two more years but the change will not come as soon as 2017.
Jack Cllr Watkins is very well known where he lives in Deal.
Shepway District Council is based in Folkestone and Thanet in Margate.All Districts have to have a base. Surely with the expansion of Whitfield the Office will be central to that.
I always stated I was a District Chairman .In fact on Rememberance Day each year I visited a different town .Last year I went to Whifield a village .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Wherever the headquarters for this proposed East Kent council are located it will mean most people are more distant than ever from the offices. Dover will stake a claim as they are in the centre geographically, no doubt Folkestone and Margate will put a case together.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
You are so right Howard .They tried to do it many years ago .and the idea was thrown out .Only Medway went it alone.
If people think they are not represented now it will get worse .Its the money situation that is driving it .Local Councils forced to cut costs .DDC already work with other authorities for some services ie Waste .,IT and ,Human Resources.
The housing went that way some years ago.
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
You are so right Howard .They tried to do it many years ago .and the idea was thrown out .Only Medway went it alone.
If people think they are not represented now it will get worse .Its the money situation that is driving it .Local Councils forced to cut costs .DDC already work with other authorities for some services ie Waste .,IT and ,Human Resources.
The housing went that way some years ago.