McKay urges businesses to make voices heard over rates

He said: “A number of businesses got a nasty surprise when they received their rates bill following the implementation of the non domestic revaluation in April of this year.

“There were of course both winners and losers but the lack of regular revaluations clearly led to huge overnight increases with a number of businesses reporting 100% + increases in their net annual values. The last revaluation was in 2003, meaning that valuations were over a decade out of date.

“That is unacceptable and the Department needs to ensure that a fair system is put in place that is reviewed regularly, four years being a much more reasonable period.

“I would urge local businesspeople to respond to this review and let the department know their views on the rates reliefs that are in place, the revaluation process, the methodology of calculating rates and the impact that the current system is having on their livelihoods.”