NEW business rates have been met with a mixed reaction across South Somerset, with most businesses set to face a decrease in the rates they pay.

The average change in business rates for South Somerset is a decrease of 6.9 per cent following a Government review on how valuations are rated.

Cllr Peter Seib, SSDC portfolio holder for finance and legal services, said: “We are hoping that the 2017 property revaluation has shifted the burden in favour South Somerset’s small businesses, with a fairer proportion of the tax burden falling on properties in the South East, where rents and income are much higher.

“We hope the Government will now turn its attention to a fairer ‘needs assessment’ for South Somerset and it will reduce the levy on business rates, in compensation for the reduced revenue raised.”

A spokesman for SSDC added: “Small Business Rate Relief has to be claimed and SSDC is carrying out a take-up campaign for those businesses it has identified that may potentially qualify.

“The national Transitional Relief Scheme will phase in the impact of significant changes to rateable values.”

One member of Chard Business Voice said: “We welcome the reduction in business rates for Chard businesses and this is a step in the right direction to help independent traders. Hopefully it will bring some life back into the town. Chard is in need of help and this is a good starting point. A reduction of 6.9 per cent is good.”

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Marcus Fysh, MP for South Somerset, said: “Most of the changes in business rates are very positive including raising the threshold and further exemptions and I’ve been calling for measures like this to help our High Streets and small businesses.

“However the Valuation Office has thrown up some serious changes and I’ve been hearing from a number of businesses whose rates are going up.

“I have been lobbying the Chancellor to find ways to stop any dramatic increases, and I hope that is possible, but I’d like to see the whole system of business rates reassessed to move away from rateable values and give our great independent shops, pubs and others a chance against the online giants.”

Les Gilbert, owner of Chard Newsagents said: “I had a quick look some time ago and decided that in our case there was probably a slight reduction. We have not yet however had this year’s bill to be able to confirm this. Anything that is not an increase is to be welcomed.

“I know from other businesses that it is very much a mixed bag with both losers and winners.”