Council News

What a Bonus for Small Businesses!

Small Business Bonus Scheme 2008/09 has just been introduced in Scotland from 1^st of April 2008 by The Scottish Government which aims to progressively reduce the burden of rates for small businesses with properties of up to a rateable value of £15,000 over the next three years.

Current evidence suggests that rates account for a higher proportion of turnover in small businesses than they do for larger ones. The Scottish Government wants to provide financial relief in order to give small businesses a competitive edge and the opportunity to grow and flourish on the basis that small businesses are the very heart of our local economies.

Convenor of Corporate Services, Councillor Craig McLaughlin, says “The Small Business Bonus Scheme will be delivered in full by April 2009. My fear is that the very businesses that stand to benefit from this scheme will miss out on it. Out of 1,166 businesses across West Dunbartonshire who are likely to qualify for the Scheme, only less than a third have taken advantage of it! Small business owners must apply for the Scheme! The application is very simple and our staff are available on 01389 737454 to help with any enquiries.”

Projected rate relief for the next three years

The level of relief afforded to each business will depend on:

1. the combined rateable value of all properties in Scotland which the business own, lease or entitled to occupy(this also includes unoccupied subjects) and

2. whether or not each property is eligible for one of the existing rates relief schemes and

3. the level of other public sector assistance already received.

The Small Business Bonus Scheme 2008/09 replaces the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme. Under the previous scheme, all properties with a rateable value of £11,500 or less received automatic rate relief of 5%, this is no longer the case as the new Scheme has specifically been designed to target the smallest businesses.

Any additional costs of the Small Business Bonus Scheme will be met by The Scottish Government. Larger businesses will continue to make a small contribution towards the cost of the Scheme by way of a modest supplement on the rate poundage for all subjects with a rateable value above £29,000. This supplement will be 0.4p on rate poundage of 45.8p

Download further information on the Small Business Bonus Scheme

Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better

Action 8 in Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better states that a national network and information website for professionals, foster carers, residential workers, parents and looked after children and young people will be developed.

In partnership with the Looked After Children Education Forum and Learning and Teaching Scotland, the Website Working Group has completed this work in that the site was launched on the 6th May 2008 by Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years, at a Corporate Parent event in East Lothian.

The aim of the website is to support improved outcomes for all looked after children, young people and care leavers through the provision of information, useful resources and networking opportunities to those who support them and others who have an interest in this area - including children and young people as well as parents and carers.

Download Further Details on Looked After Children

Single Outcome Agreements  - Public Consultation

If you are a resident or business in West Dunbartonshire we would like your help in defining how the council, and its partners, will continue to deliver first-class services and how we will set and achieve our local targets.  

The Scottish Government is in the process of introducing Single Outcome Agreements (SOA)  – an agreement between West Dunbartonshire Council and national government, which will confirm how the council will meet its local targets and contribute to those of national government.   

This is your opportunity to comment on the draft SOA.

For more information on how you can participate click SOA Consultation

LIVE AT LOCH LOMOND – 2-3 AUGUST 2008

This Year’s Line up Announced

Groove Armada to Headline on Saturday

The bill for this year’s Live at Loch Lomond (2nd and 3rd August 2008) promises to be bigger and better than last year.

The festival is privileged to have confirmed the amazing Groove Armada, who celebrated their 10th anniversary in the music industry last year.  The band will headline Saturday night, joining Sunday’s main act The Sex Pistols.

Other acts confirmed as we go to press are festival favourites Ocean Colour Scene, who recently sold out three dates at Glasgow’s infamous Barrowlands; Attic Lights; The Dykeenies and The Complete Stone Roses, with further acts to be confirmed.

More information on Live at Loch Lomond