Yesterday a leaflet titled Rutland Rose arrived from the Rutland and Melton Labour Party.
Yes apparently there is a Labour Party here in Rutland, they wake up during the spring of the general election year then they hibernate until the next election. I say that because they never stand candidates in by-elections here in Rutland County Council Elections and they may find one person to fight a contest at the time of the general election.
Their leaflet is very glossy showing the Labour parliamentary candidate standing outside a empty
double fronted shop here in Oakham, the premises recently vacated by a large gambling chain. The
photo is used to support a false claim about business rates effecting independent shops, in Oakham and Uppingham. To be fair the shop shown does have a large rateable value and
there are other examples along the high street. The major issue for independents in Oakham
is more the issue of high rents.
I am not one to support our rotten Tory Council but it is a fact here in Oakham and Uppingham if you are a small independent trading in either town most don't pay any rates.
Businesses in Rutland who have just one property can claim 100% Rate Relief if their premises have a rateable value of less than £6,000 – meaning there would be no rates to pay. There are various reductions if they have a higher rateable value.
And if you are a successful independent trader and been around since 2010 you can claim back
all you have paid between then and now.
It would be fair to say that larger business pay more but that is the same all over the country
This is a mandatory relief scheme which is self-funding; it does not cost the Council. All relief is recovered each year by way of a supplement on the rates paid by larger companies.
A small expanding business can now also open a second shop and receive a 12 month rebate on that property. After that they have to pay full business rate on the second property.
