We had some visitors today, in the shape of Ashford MP Sojan Joseph and his colleague Tania Gauder; who had been invited by Richard to come and hear how the new rating list, due to take effect in April this year, is going to affect local small businesses, especially as the thresholds for Small Business Rate Relief have once again not been altered, meaning that most small businesses have now ‘passed through’ the benefits of the scheme. Come the first of April our own office rates will increase by 389%.
Whilst here, Richard took time to bring Sojan up to speed with developments in and around Ashford as well as discussing issues facing the rural community, with special emphasis on current government plans to unnecessarily increase legislation around shotgun ownership – a subject close to his heart!
Sojan has been invited back on a quarterly basis to hear about other local issues.