Sir,
Pembrokeshire companies are certainly facing uncertain times following these proposed rises in business rates for local traders.
In last week's Observer, Angela Burns correctly points out that transitional rate relief is available to businesses in England, and that the revaluation process has been postponed in Nothern Island. Mrs. Burns is therefore organising a petition calling on the Welsh Assembly to take action.
As the Welsh Assembly has no tax raising or tax varying powers at all, would it not be better to concentrate our minds on holding purposeful dialogue with the VOA rather than petitioning the Welsh Assembly that has no powers to change the situation?
Am I right in thinking that this whole system of business rates based on the value of your property was introduced by the last Conservative government?
C.R.A. Garland,
Tenby.