SCOTTISH Borders Council is encouraging local businesses to contribute to the ongoing review on the business rates system in Scotland.

The Barclay Review Group has been set up to make recommendations to reform the non-domestic rate system and gives local companies the chance to put forward their suggestions.

The group will then report the findings to Scottish Ministers in July 2017 and Scottish Borders Council will submit its own response in due course.

Those interested in providing feedback will have to answer the following question: ‘How would you re-design the business rates system to better support business and incentivise investment?’ in order to come up with a solution that suits businesses across Scotland.

Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s Executive Member for Economic Development, said: "Our experience is that business rates are often raised as a problem by local firms, but as a Council we have limited influence over the national system.

"Whilst there is a scheme of rates relief, particularly for smaller businesses, this adds complexity and can make business rates confusing," he added.

"The Barclay Review Group is an excellent chance for local businesses who feel they would like to see changes made to the business rates system to feed those back."

Details on the review, and how to respond, can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00503451.pdf