Spring 2012 Follow us on Facebook & Twitter: www.facebook.com/niirta www.twitter.com/niirta www.niirta.com news The magazine for the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association Finance Minister Sammy Wilson MP and NIIRTA member Emma Dunn launching the NIIRTA Five Point Plan on Fair Rates Finance Minister Delivers on Rate Relief Scheme NIIRTA News ‐ Spring 2012 Attwood Announces Initial Five Pence Levy On Single Use Carrier Bags Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced that a five pence levy on single use carrier bags will be introduced in April 2013. extended, as the details of the carrier bag levy are developed.” NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “We agree with the DOE Minister’s objective of reducing plastic bag usage and our members have led the way in educating customers and pioneering voluntary approaches to addressing this problem” “However, we are concerned that this is a tax on hard pressed working NIIRTA CEO Glyn Roberts with DOE Minister Alex Attwood. families and will add to the burden of red tape particularly for small shops who will become tax collectors for this This will increase to ten pence in April pence in the first year, when the levy new scheme” 2014. The Minister has lowered the levy will only apply to single use carrier in the first year enabling consumers to bags. This will ensure a phased “It’s unclear if it is intended to adjust to the concept. Further, there will approach to charging. I am committed discourage plastic bag use or if it is a be no charge on multi use carrier bags in to making Northern Ireland a better revenue raiser. It has to do one or the April 2013 as the ten pence levy won't place to live, work and invest and this other – it can’t do both.” apply to these bags until April 2014. will certainly contribute to that goal.” “We are concerned that this tax may be This is the first time that a levy will be Administration of the scheme will be used to fund the Green New Deal. So, introduced on carrier bags in Northern based in Derry, reflecting the Minister’s essentially, the public is being asked to Ireland. commitment to job dispersal in the buy plastic bags, thereby generating draft Programme For Government. waste, in order to tackle waste. The Alex Attwood said: “There is no doubt Minister needs to clarify this issue.” that carrier bags are a scourge on the “With the creation of the new carrier environment. Evidence from other bag levy I welcome the potential to now “The Minister also needs to highlight countries demonstrates that a bag levy locate up to ten civil servant posts in the the projected cost of this new is a simple and effective means to North West, through the establishment ‘enforcement centre’ based in Derry and reduce substantially the negative of a new collection and enforcement how much the this Plastic Bag Tax will environmental impact of carrier bag team to administer the levy and deliver cost.” consumption. A proposed ten pence levy a cost effective in‐house IT system.” on single use carrier bags and lower cost “NIIRTA very much wants to work with reusable carrier bags can bring about Alex Attwood concluded: “I fully Minister Attwood on this issue to significant environmental improvement. recognise that this new levy will be of ensure we achieve the objective of great relevance to many consumers and reducing plastic bag usage and will be “However I recognise that consumers businesses in Northern Ireland. People seeking an urgent meeting with him.” will need time to change their can get detailed information of behaviour and adjust to bringing their arrangements for implementation on The introduction of the levy is subject to own bags when they shop. I therefore www.rethinkwasteni.org/carrierbaglev Assembly approval of the required propose to discount the charge to five y. The website will be updated and primary legislation. Page 2 NIIRTA News ‐ Spring 2012 Rates Bill Passes Its Final Stage Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson welcomed the support for the Rates (Amendment) Bill which passed its final stage in the Assembly today. Some of the measures in the Bill provide for a large retail levy to fund additional help for small businesses as well as brightening up and encouraging use of long term empty retail premises typically found on Northern Ireland’s high streets. Following Royal Assent the legislation will come into effect on 1 April 2012. Sammy Wilson said: “This is a significant milestone for a vast number of Northern Ireland’s small businesses who continue to struggle in the current harsh economic climate and who will now benefit from the funding contained in the Rates (Amendment) Bill. Sammy Wilson launching NIIRTA’s Five Point Plan on Rates with local traders on Belfast’s Belmont Road “The support of the Executive and Assembly for the introduction of this Bill demonstrates a clear commitment from Government to its responsibility to help imperfections than to take no action at all. rates for their large trading margins. This stimulate the economy and to assist in any This Assembly must recognise that the contrasts with the high rates bills, way possible to get Northern Ireland on the system is not perfect. Land & Property problematic and pricey parking, and road to recovery. Services has already written to those that planning constraints which the city centre will be affected and urges those who have traders are faced with. “The large retail levy will fund much needed incorrectly been identified as multiples to additional help for our small businesses “The Finance Minister has rightly contact the Agency and this issue can then while the Assembly has also approved recognised the trading pressures of smaller be resolved.” measures aimed at making long term empty businesses across the north and I hope that retail premises more attractive or getting The Bill also includes the provision to clarify this measure, although time bound, will them back into business. the valuation assumptions used at a non‐ help many of our local businesses at this domestic revaluation and also repeal the time and protect jobs in our cities, towns Although the Small Business Rate Relief rule applied to properties referenced by and villages.” scheme and large retail levy will be applied their volume of trade, for example public automatically, ratepayers are encouraged to NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: houses. These changes will take effect at the submit applications to Land and Property “The passing of this legislation is good news next general revaluation scheduled for Services (LPS) for other commercial rate for thousands of small businesses and 2015. reliefs. independent retailers who struggle to pay SDLP Finance Spokesperson Dominic their rates bills as a result of the recession.” The Minister continued: “The Bill allows Bradley MLA has welcomed passage of the business ratepayers to brighten up shop “Given that over 1000 small shops closed in Rates (Amendment) Bill in the Assembly. windows with non‐commercial window 2011 and with the likelihood of many more displays without incurring full occupied Mr Bradley said: “The principle of the so‐ this year, this Rate Relief Scheme is a rates. It also provides for a one year called ‘Tesco tax’ move is welcome and is a sensible response by the Executive.” concession, during 2012/13, that will good first step. In addition to this scheme “Furthermore, NIIRTA is pleased that its 5 effectively allow 50% empty property relief we believe it should be improved further in Point Plan proposals for first year 50% rate to continue for a year. To receive the 50% respect of helping some of the larger stores relief for new start businesses taking up rebate on retail properties empty for a year who do not have big profit margins. It is empty retail proprieties has also been or more ratepayers must submit an something that could be done more fairly passed by the Assembly. This will help both application to LPS with evidence that the and framed for the longer‐term. address our huge problem of vacant shops property, when last used, was for retail “This move will be welcomed by local and support new start businesses in their purposes.” traders who have made a reasoned and first critical year of trading.” Referring to those who may be holding forceful case for measures to support NIIRTA Member Emma Dunn, who is owner multiple premises. the Minister said: “From independent town and city centre of Sweet Thing on Belmont Road and will 1 April ratepayers occupying multiple businesses. Many small businesses are qualify for the Rates Relief Scheme said: premises, that is more than three in total feeling the pinch of the economic downturn “Minister Sammy Wilson deserves regardless of size, will not be entitled to and the rates bill could make the difference considerable credit for bringing forward relief under the Small Business Rate Relief between the business continuing to trade or this legislation as do the many local traders Scheme.” it deciding to close with the loss of local groups and Chambers of Commerce who led jobs. The Minister noted that there could be the campaign for fair business rates.” some teething difficulties in identifying “Local traders have highlighted the unfair “I am a new start independent retailer and multiples saying: “I would prefer to take competition of large out‐of‐town retail the Rate Relief Scheme will assist me in action and be criticised for some centres which are paying relatively small taking on my first member of staff.” Page 3 NIIRTA News ‐ Spring 2012 Mary Portas has published her review of the future of our high streets.