Yeovil's prospective MP Marcus Fysh met with Secretary of State Eric Pickles in South Somerset yesterday during the Secretary's visit to the South West. Marcus, already a County and District councillor, raised a number of important questions with Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government.
Marcus highlighted his view that rural councils such as Somerset should receive support from Westminster in tackling rural issues such as vital flood prevention works. Marcus also suggested to Mr Pickles that his department consider reforming business rates so that central government no longer takes its 50% share of this taxation, to help local business.
Marcus said "I have asked central Government to support Somerset's dredging initiative to alleviate local flooding problems, which we in the County Council have backed with £1 million, and highlighted there are other rural issues where Somerset could do with more support. I also want to be able to cut business rates by up to half locally to help local businesses, town centres and job creation. I will continue to have practical discussions with cabinet ministers on the issues that matter to local people, to ensure their needs are represented at the highest levels of Government."