Independent Councillors from across Bath & North East Somerset are calling on the council to do more to support small and rural businesses.
The new political movement, Independents for B&NES, wants the Local Authority to recognise the important role that many businesses perform, not just economically, but socially and cultural around the district too.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown) is Group Leader of Independents for B&NES at the Guildhall. She said:
“More and more we’re seeing small businesses close and empty shops appear. Small and rural businesses are often the backbone of many of our local communities which our residents so heavily rely on.
Independent Councillors have written to the Leader of the Council asking for a number of policies to be implemented which, we believe, will have a positive impact not only for local businesses, but for the wider economy too.”
Independents for B&NES are calling on the council to:
– Introduce a new grant subsidy scheme for small businesses who have less than 10 employees. The grant would be used to cover the cost of heating and electricity bills.
– Review parking charges in areas where there are a high proportion of small business outlets, such as Midsomer Norton. If there are a high proportion of small businesses, parked charges should be axed.
– Introduce greater rate relief for small and rural businesses
– Allocate funding for an annual ‘Small Business Saturday’ Festival across the district
Cllr Chris Warren (Independent, Saltford) said:
“The unpopular parking charges in towns like Midsomer Norton have had a detrimental impact on trading, commerce and sales at independent shops.
Businesses are struggling enough as it is due to the rise in the cost of goods, fewer people using local services and the attraction and ease of online shopping.
Local businesses are often the ‘lifeblood’ of our communities. By axing car parking charges in communities where there is a high proportion of small businesses this will go a long way in giving the commercial sector the support it needs.”
One of the policies being proposed by Independents for B&NES is for the council to introduce greater rate relief for small and rural businesses. The local authority’s astronomical business rates have led business owners to shut up shop because – as the cost of bills increase – so do business rates too!
Cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) added:
“There needs to be more help made available by both national and local government to support small businesses who are being priced out by larger companies. We’re slowly seeing the death of the High Street due to poor decision making from establishment politicians.
Our proposals will support small and rural businesses across B&NES and bring about out a new positive way of doing things that will only boost and enhance our local economy.”
The Independents for B&NES have written to the Leader of the Council, in advance if July’s Cabinet meeting at the Guildhall, asking for these proposals to be implemented.
