Sir,

In answer to Clr. David Pugh's letter, I do not blame the county council for the proposed business rate increase for Narberth. As an owner of commercial property in Narberth since 1978 and as a former town clerk and councillor, I am well aware of the role of the Valuation Office.

Clr. Pugh says that the council is trying to minimise the business rate burden on all county businesses - how long will that take? The public are told to write to their MEPs - fine, letters going back and forth, but at what cost and for how long?

Perhaps the quickest way to solve this problem would be for the council to refuse to collect the tax at the proposed rate and insist that a reasonable figure is decided upon very quickly so that Narberth businesses can get on with their business in confidence and their employees will feel their jobs are secure.

We are told the council are only collectors of the business rate and that the money goes to the Welsh Assembly or Westminster, but then of course county councils receive money from these sources, so they are in fact collecting for themselves, even if they don't get the exact amount back again.

If you know something is wrong and unjustified, you should stand up and object strongly and ensure that the fault is rectified with all possible speed.

Just imagine the reaction there would be if the government proposed to increase income tax, VAT or fuel duty by over 200 per cent. That would affect everyone. The current rate increase proposal of 200 per cent plus would only affect Narberth businesses, but that doesn't make it any less serious for the people of Narberth.

Angela Walker,

Narberth.