Shropshire Council urged to pay out £650,000 rates relief cash
Shropshire Council has been urged to get on with handing out a £650,000 grant for small firms struggling with business rates.
The authority has £654,141 from Government for a discretionary rate relief scheme for 2017/18.
However, it has not yet put the scheme in place and says it first wants to clear up uncertainty over two other forms of relief - additional support of up to £600 for small businesses, and £1,000 discounts for pubs with a rateable value under £100,000.
Ludlow North Councillor, Andy Boddington, has pressed the council on when it will begin distributing their allocation, warning that businesses are suffering.
He said: "One thing I think is fair enough on their part is because of the election and the problems that created, the guidelines have not been set out for how to distribute the money, but the council response makes it seem like they are not very keen on distributing the money.
"Small businesses need this. I appreciate the rules are not in place but I hear a reluctance to help small businesses."
Councillor David Minnery, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for finance, said they are working to develop the scheme.
He said: "When designing an additional relief scheme it would be sensible to award all other reliefs that individual businesses are entitled to prior to awarding additional discretionary relief to qualifying businesses.
"That would avoid duplication and confusion and possible underspend further along the line.
"The council must also take into account any state aid implications. We are liaising with our software supplier and other local authorities to help design a robust and appropriate local scheme."
Speaking at Thursday's full council meeting, Councillor Roger Evans, asked if businesses would be compensated for lost ground in waiting for the scheme.
In response Councillor Minnery said: "I am not sure there is any provision to make up for lost ground but as in all cases we will try to be supportive and if we can help we will and of we cannot we will not."
A number of Shropshire businesses have voiced concerns over large rises in their rateable value following the most recent business rates review.
