Mr. Ian Talbot:

As a network, we talk about rates constantly. One issue is rates increases. In fairness, over the last few years, most county councils have tried as hard as possible not to increase rates significantly. There is also the way in which business models have changed. For many businesses, it is not as important to have a shopfront or big warehouse. The rates model needs to keep up with that. We know that county councils depend on business rates to a significant degree. When everything else is being pulled in, whatever remains that needs to be funded must be covered by business rates. We would certainly love to see a modernisation of the rates model.