Over 3500 householders in the North Coast area will shortly get early warning letters from the Finance Department of North Ayrshire Council to tell them that due to a decision by the SNP Government, their Council Tax Bills , for the next financial year 2017-18 , will increase substantially. In fact in the Largs area the total bill will increase by over £600,00. And this even before North Ayrshire Council decides if is also to increase the Council Tax by up to 3% So if you are in a house valued at Band E , your increase will be £106 or 7.5% for the year, if Band F you need to find £208 , Band G the extra demand is £336 or 17.5% or if in a Band H home you will be hit for a whopping extra of £518 or 22.5%.
Councillor Marshall in speaking to group of local activists commented " This is just one of a series of Tax hikes about to be imposed by the Scottish Government. It is far in excess of inflation and is very unfair on many struggling families and particularly so on older persons on fixed incomes who may live alone in a large house. It is not always possible for these people to downsize. These huge increases will not result in any increase in services - indeed the main service that residents identify with - bin collection- is under threat as well as others services. What even worse is that the the total tax take in the North Coast will be more than £630,000. - a vast sum of money that will to some extent impact on consumer spending in the area. If this sum is from earned income the the gross take could be closer to £1m!! Wow! And some of thus money will be lost to this area as it will undoubtedly be spent elsewhere by the Council."
Later that week Councillor Marshall, who is the Council's representative on the local BIDS Company Board was involved in a discussion regarding the 2017 Revaluation of Local businesses that will see some businesses having to pay a great increase in Business Rates while others will not be greatly affected . Some smaller businesses may see their reduction in their Valuation and an increase in the limits for Small Business Relief. Councillor Marshall expressed concern at the decision to vastly increase the valuation of Tourist and Hospitality businesses in the town. " I have heard of hotels having their valuation increases by 50%, self catering businesses by 70% and so on up to an increase of 150% for a bar diner. For these types of businesses such increases are excessive. This will cause some difficulties. I have been told by some operators that they will either have to increase their charges, reduce staffing or just sell up. And these are businesses which are essential for Largs to thrive as a tourist town and generate jobs and wages for many people. While the SNP Government argue that it "wisna me" , this will not wash on top of the deluge of other taxes being loaded on to the hard working people in this area. "
