Edward Mountain MSP is calling on the Highland Council to implement a counciltax holiday for small Bed and Breakfast operators that cater for six guests or less.
Small B&Bs do not pay non-domestic rates and, therefore, a business rates holiday is not applicable to them. Furthermore, as small B&Bs of six guests or less pay domestic rates they are also ineligible for the £10,000 grant to help non-domestic ratepaying businesses with the impact of Covid-19.
Edward Mountain MSP has wrote to Councillor Margaret Davidson, Leader of the Highland Council, on the 8 April 2020 to raise this issue and posed the question again to the Highland Council on 1 May 2020.
Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“Whilst local authority budgets are tight, the Highland Council has received significant additional funds from the Government to implement a council taxholiday for smaller B&Bs.
Our Highland tourism sector is being hit hard because of the pandemic and small B&Bs should not be left behind when it comes to support from their local authority.
The Highland Council was very happy to talk about taxing tourists in the good times but they should now help small B&Bs through these difficult times, especially as these businesses are ineligible for other grants.”
ENDS
