Royal Borough Petition Against Business Rate Hike

Last chance to join web petition against 50% business rates hike- The cross-party web petition against the forthcoming increase in business rates will close on Sunday 28 February and the council is issuing a last call for local people to sign up.
Launched in October, the petition was also backed by local chambers of commerce and town partnerships, in a united plea to the government to reconsider the hike, which starts in April and which will mean increases of 50% for some businesses.

The petition reads:
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 petition is available at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/business_rates_petition.htm and after it closes the council will ensure that it is sent to the government to ensure the weight of local opinion is recognised.
Cllr David Burbage, council leader and leader of the Conservative group, said: “These increases 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. We believe the ‘death toll’ will ring for many.”

Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “It seems bizarre that in a time of recession the government is planning on increasing taxes for businesses. This could be the final nail in the coffin for some of our local businesses and shops.  We all need to stand up and say ‘no’ to this plan.”

Cllr Cynthia Endacott, leader of the West Windsor Residents’ Association group, said: “As if businesses didn’t have enough to cope with these days! The rise in business rates is adding salt to the wounds and I am delighted to be part of a cross party initiative that gives businesses the backing they deserve.”

Cllr Eric Wiles, leader of the Old Windsor Residents’ Association group, said: “The petition draws attention to the plight of businesses and we hope residents will join with us in our campaign to stop these appalling increases.”

Eddie Pearce, president of Maidenhead and District Chamber of Commerce, said: “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. Unless something is done to reverse this decision, we could see more businesses struggling to survive – and for some it will mean going under. It is an intolerable situation.”

David Jessey, president of Windsor District Chamber of Commerce, said: “At a time of the deepest recession, I am amazed that the government is allowing these punitive increases in the business rates to occur. The detrimental impact they will have on all business will be severe and some may not survive. These increases, if they go through, could be the straw that breaks the camel's back."

Halid Izzet, chairman of Eton Traders’ Association, said: “I am 110% behind our joint initiative. On the back of such a deep recession the proposed business rate increases will help destroy many smaller businesses and stunt the recovery of larger ones. We cannot continue paying more, more and more just to stand still. All our costs are increasing, and yet we are having to discount to retain our customers as they are just not spending as they were. Many businesses have already reached breaking point, and with these increases, many more will follow. This is a fact, not an opinion. We need to do something about this and fast!”

Cllr Colin Rayner, chairman of Windsor and Eton Town Partnership, said he was also very pleased to support the petition: “These high rates are driving people out of business every month in Windsor. We have some cases in Windsor where the business rates are higher than the rent.”