[Margaret Pilkington]

might it not make the council a bit more proactive in getting off their haunches and do something to attract businesses to the area?

If councils can set their own business rates wouldn't a lowering of these rates bring in more businesses and with this maybe even more jobs. Surely that has to be good for the local economy.....or am I missing something.
If I am, no doubt someone will take the time to educate me.
I am only asking because I know very little about how the Business rate setting is done.
Didn't The chancellor say that councils would be allowed to keep all the Business rate that they raised?

Isn't this a bit of a double edged sword? They will have to be more responsible with the money...they cannot blame central government(whatever the colour that government may be) for lack of funds if they haven't managed to raise funds, or have spent the money stupidly.