Archived press release

Date Published: 22/11/06

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s support for local firms has been recognised with a top award from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The council was selected by the Thames Valley Region of the FSB to receive the ‘Small Busine...

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s support for local firms has been recognised with a top award from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The council was selected by the Thames Valley Region of the FSB to receive the ‘Small Business Friendly’ award in recognition of its work to encourage small businesses to take advantage of the rate relief that is available to them.

Councillor Margaret Morgan-Owen, Deputy Leader of the Council, collected the prize at a ceremony held at the Oxford Belfry Hotel on 17 November, where guests of honour were Conservative Party Leader David Cameron MP and Jon Snow of Channel Four News.

The government introduced the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme from April 2005 to reduce the rates paid by small businesses. Before the scheme was introduced AVDC identified those businesses it considered were likely to qualify for this relief and wrote to them explaining how it would benefit them. Ratepayers who didn’t complete the rate relief forms provided were contacted by the council to ensure that they were aware of the scheme.

The council also sends rate relief forms to new businesses and provides advice and assistance to ratepayers who are uncertain as to whether they qualify.

Work by AVDC to highlight small business rate relief has resulted in a total of £700,000 being claimed by 1,300 small businesses across the Vale.

Business rate relief is only part of the service offered to local firms. The council also operates a business grants scheme which can support new business start-ups with grants of up to £3,000 and existing small businesses with grants of up to £5,000, subject to meeting certain criteria. In addition, every new business in the Vale receives a start-up pack explaining all the services and benefits the council has to offer.

“Helping local business is an important part of making Aylesbury Vale a better district for everyone who lives and works here,” said Councillor Peter Cooper, Cabinet Member for Economic Development. “The district’s small businesses are vital to the economy and prosperity of the Vale and we want to make sure they take advantage of any government funding that is available to them. I would urge small business owners to contact us to see how much rate relief they could be entitled to. Businesses could qualify for a saving of up to 50 per cent of their business rates.”

Linda Walton, Chair of the South Bucks and Aylesbury branch of the FSB, said: “The FSB is passionate about promoting an environment in which small businesses can flourish and here in the Thames Valley we make it our business to profile and promote those organisations that help make this a reality. I was proud to present this award to mark the excellent work done by Aylesbury Vale District Council.”

For further information on small business rate relief within Aylesbury Vale, please visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or contact the business rates section on 01296 585096.