Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois has responded to representations he has received from several equestrian centres across the constituency, by raising the issue of high rate rises they have suffered, in Parliament.
Mark was serving on a specially convened committee to discuss the operation of the rating system in England. Along with several other MPs who had similar concerns (including Dame Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden and John Wittingdale, Conservative MP for Maldon) Mark raised the fact that a number of equestrian centres, riding stables and similar facilities have seen their rates increase markedly, in some cases by over 300%, as a result of the recent rating revaluation.
Alongside his colleagues, Mark asked the Minister, Rishi Sunak MP, if it would be possible to look into this issue to see whether anything can be done to moderate such steep rises for the businesses concerned.
During the debate in committee, Mark pressed the Minister to write back to members of the committee once he had had an opportunity to discuss this with officials from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the Minister undertook to write such a letter.
Commenting on the committee and its outcome, Mark Francois said:
“I have had several equestrian businesses in my constituency, supported by the British Horse Society, approach me about an apparent quirk in the rating revaluation test which means they have suffered disproportionately high rate increases. It was evident from the committee that I am not the only MP to be effected by this issue and collectively we pressed the Minister to look into this and see if a solution can be found. I am glad I had this opportunity to raise the issue and I very much look forward to the Minister’s response.”