Moray Conservatives call for extension to business rates relief to cover summer period
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MORAY Council's Conservative group has called for a local extension to business rates relief to support hospitality businesses during the summer months.
The call comes ahead of the council setting its budget on Tuesday, February 22, next week.
The current relief scheme is due to end later this year in June but local Conservatives have urged the council to use local powers to extend this further up to September 2022.
Cllr Donald Gatt (Keith and Cullen) said: "I believe every councillor in Moray has at one point or another commented on the importance of local businesses to the Moray economy.
"The last 2 years have been extremely difficult with those businesses in hospitality particularly effected.
He added: "We have already checked with officers that variations to licensing to help support businesses to make use of outside space etc will remain in place throughout this period and we are pleased this will remain so.
"Business is vital to Moray and we recognise the tough time they have gone through.
"We hope this will give some support to our local business owners and we urge everyone to support as much as possible local business this year."
Cllr Marc Macrae (Fochabers Lhanbryde) added: "Non-domestic rates are an outdated taxation that we believe needs to be changed.
"That sadly is out with our hands locally but we do have a statutory route to extend the relief scheme and we will request as part of the budget that this is done.
"We believe this is a direct investment in local business and allows a full summer season of trading with reduced rates in place. It does not solve everything but we believe it is a vital help.
"I urge fellow councillors to get behind the group on this, as with our earlier calls for a freeze on council tax now is not the time to stop supporting local people.
"If there ever was a time to step up and be brave it is now and the Conservative group are prepared to do just that."
