29th October 2013, Tuesday
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
“The method of calculating rates for businesses needs to be reformed”
That’s the consensus of Cork County Councillors who today agreed to
write to the Minister asking for an overhaul of the system.
Business rates are collected by a local authorities but their method of
calculation is set by National Legislation.
Speaking at today’s County Council meeting Fianna Fail’s Seamus McGrath
said Landlords have lowered rents in the recession, but council rates have
remained at “Celtic tiger levels”.
That’s because the formula focuses on the floor area of a premises,
and does not take into account turnover or ability to pay.
A national rate re-evaluation is underway, and will soon start in Cork,
but Cllr Seamus McGrath says it doesn’t go far enough
Cllr Seamus McGrath says at the moment high rates bills ARE causing some
businesses
to close
