April 2010

Rates bills.

During the Easter recess I visited some local businesses hard hit by the business rates revaluation. I've also surveyed hotels in my region and been in contact with the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

I have found out about some massive hikes in rates. Costcutters in Ellon faces a rates bill that is 105% more than last year, and Colours Nursery is looking at a bill that has increased by 41%. I also learnt of the fears that owners and managers have for their businesses in light of these increases.

Obviously any revaluation has winners and losers. However, in the past there has been a transitional scheme to soften the blow; businesses didn't suffer the full force of rate rises in one go. But it's different this time round, because the SNP government has refused to put in place a transitional scheme. Businesses across Scotland find themselves left alone to deal with huge increases in their tax bills, just at the very time when, having managed to weather the recession so far, they might expect to look for support from their government.

That's why, when Parliament returned last week after the recess, The Liberal Democrats led a debate calling for the setting up of a transitional relief scheme for those hardest hit by the increases. We felt it was important to give those businesses a voice in Parliament. I watched in dismay at Decision Time as the SNP and Conservatives joined forces to vote down our motion. Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce has now requested an urgent meeting with the Finance Secretary to press home the damage his government's position will cause to local business.

Icelandic Volcano fall out.

The volcanic ash cloud drifting over Britain has caused a great deal of travel disruption. Many of us know of friends or family stranded at the end of their Easter holidays. With helicopter flights to the rigs also suspended and hospital appointments for those from the islands cancelled, it has caused a great deal of trouble. It has been an illustration of just how reliant the country has become on air travel.

Regular business travellers to London have had to turn to rail travel and that might just be the silver lining to this particular cloud. If train companies get it right, after the dust settles, they should have won over new passengers amongst business travellers.

Train companies have a chance to shine - they must ensure that trains are on time, and comfortable and clean for passengers. Providing good value fares for passengers will also encourage people to stick with greener travel alternatives for business trips to London in the future.

Government Fleet.

Answering my recent parliamentary question, the Government has revealed that over the last two years they have purchased 38 new cars that run on diesel, compared with just 3 electric hybrids. So, For all the SNP's rhetoric of being world leaders on climate change, we are still not seeing any actions to back up their warm words. The ongoing replacement of the Government car fleet should be an excellent opportunity- by opting for cleaner, hybrid cars they could be setting a real example for the rest of the country to follow.

Inverurie Paper Mill Site.

I am delighted that there appears to be a promising future for the paper mill site. the mill owner's proposals for a green energy centre are certainly ambitious. If they are given the green light through the planning process then there is the potential to provide many new jobs for Inverurie. The continued support of many agencies, local and national, will be needed to turn those plans into a reality. The site is a prime industrial site with excellent transport connections and I am sure that there is a bright future for it.

The dangers of 'legal highs'

The announcement last week that the government is to ban mephedrone is welcome. I am glad that action has been taken - it's not before time. This so called "legal high" also known as mcat or bubbles has caused numerous deaths in Scotland. The increase in its use locally has caused grave concerns in our community. I wrote to the Home Secretary a couple of months ago calling for it to be banned, and also wrote to the Scottish Minister responsible for community safety to urge him to start a public awareness campaign in Scotland without waiting for the ban. I am pleased that the Scottish government responded by funding training materials for use across Scotland.