Sir, The recent highlighting of the business rates problem in Tenby by Helen Mary Jones, Assembly Member for West Wales, was long overdue. The situation in Tenby is that the average business rate increase was 27 per cent against a county average increase of 16 per cent. The average of course disguises the increases of up to 300 per cent experienced by some businesses, at a time when the economy of Tenby is at its most fragile. Many people point out the economic success apparent in Narberth. One of the reasons for this is that Narberth benefits from not having to pay this inequitable tax. They benefit from a 50 per cent mandatory relief given by the Welsh Assembly under their Rural Business Rate Relief Scheme, and a 50 per cent discretionary relief given by the county council. How on earth can Tenby compete on such a playing field? We see in Tenby some extremely brave investments by firms such as T. P. Hughes and others. Should they not have the same level of business taxation as a town some 10 miles away? I urge everyone who is concerned for the well-being of Tenby to write to their MP pointing out the parlous economic conditions that prevail in Tenby, and the unfairness of the system of business rates. Clr. Michael Williams,
Harding Street, Tenby.