Moray Council is considering ways to make life easier for the businesses worst affected by the upcoming increases in their rates.
The local authority’s taxation manager, James Taylor, spoke with a group of disgruntled traders at a meeting in Elgin – where he suggested a scheme which could help keep them afloat.
Mr Taylor said the council will merely act as a “collection agent” for the Scottish Government – which legally controls tax levels.
He was questioned on when the local authority would have to “pull the plug” on businesses which are unable to pay the required sums.
Mr Taylor conceded that such an eventuality was a “strategic point” that he and his colleagues would have to consult Holyrood finance bosses about.
However, he added: “The whole framework is being driven by the Scottish Government, but there are perhaps things we could do for those who will be paying significantly more than they do now.
“We could look at how we take payments, we could collect more money at times of the year when certain businesses are doing well.
“So they could pay more at Christmas, but then less when takings aren’t so high.”
