Sir,
I would appreciate you allowing me to comment on two letters in the Observer dated November 13, one regarding council/taxpayers support for the De Valence and the other regarding business rates.
I am of the belief that many people are still in denial regarding the state of the country and its finances. It has been assumed for many years that public funding of projects and venues would make them a success, when in reality it should be the duty of those using the establishments to pay.
The gravy train of public spending on dubious projects has to be stopped and public bodies must stick to financing what are their obligations under law, and even these will have to be scrutinised more fully. It is very easy for politicians to say yes to everything, but projects will now need closer scrutiny and the word no used more often.
The proposed business rate increases, some of 200 per cent, the majority outside Narberth, after all are just extra taxes and will prove costly for those businesses trying to survive in the current economic situation. The Valuation Office insists that there will be no overall increase in the revenue collected just redistribution.
I have, as a member of Pembrokeshire County Counci,l asked the head of revenue services to calculate if the income from the new business rating valuation in Pembrokeshire will in fact produce extra income to the exchequer.
Clr. Malcolm Calver,