Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has spoken of his disappointment at the Scottish Government’s failure to properly implement the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme in their latest budget.
The Business Rates Incentivisation scheme was introduced in 2012 and means local authorities are able to keep 50 per cent of excess rates collected over the course of a year.
The idea was that, by handing councils a financial incentive, it would lead to them encouraging more economic growth in their areas.
When pressed by the Scottish Conservatives, the Finance Secretary John Swinney blamed COSLA for a lack of action on the incentivisation scheme.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Boots and McDonald’s have recently closed their stores on the High Street and Semi Chem have announced that they will follow suit in 2014. Even in this past week we have heard that Henderson’s the jewellers is closing their shop in the Kingsgate retail centre.
“Dunfermline needs real sustained help if it is to attract businesses to the city centre and revitalise its high street. The Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme potentially offers Fife Council a route for encouraging more retailers to Dunfermline yet since its announcement in 2011 and implementation in 2012, nothing has been done.
“If Dunfermline High Street is to avoid becoming a ghost town then the Scottish Government must give councils the economic levers to help improve the situation for retailers.”