Inverness traders' pleas for rent alleviation over Covid are refused by Inverness councillors as Provost Helen Carmichael says they have received 'unprecedented support'
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Inverness Councillors have rejected desperate calls by tenants of the Common Good Fund for rent alleviation, despite many saying they could go bust because of Covid.
Members decided against helping the traders at a meeting of the city committee held behind closed doors earlier today.
Earlier, the city administration caved-in to pressure and decided to hold a review of whether the local authority could offer a helping hand.
But the council has just confirmed that there would be no change to the way the local authority would deal with tenants though the reasons for the decision are not known.
That is because, in a surprise move, Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael sought to hold the meeting in private after taking legal advice.
Just two Conservative Councillors – Andrew Jarvie and Callum Smith – wanted the meeting in the public eye, arguing that it should only be in private if necessary.
But they were defeated at a vote by an alliance of independent, Labour, Liberal Democrat and SNP councillors though some nationalist members abstained.
The contents of the report were also kept confidential regarding the support of businesses who are Inverness Common Good Fund tenants.
According to the council, members considered the financial and legal implications of a number of business models and agreed on the “current approach” model was best.
The local authority stated: “Tenants can continue to seek interest-free rent deferrals as the principal means of support but consideration for further financial assistance can be considered on a case by case basis where there is strong commercial, financial and economic reasoning.”
Inverness Provost Cllr Carmichael said: “Highland Council has provided unprecedented support to Common Good Fund tenants – including tenants in the Victorian Market in Inverness both before and during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Council officers are still speaking with tenants on a one-to one basis. Members have made this decision today based on the sound information and legal advice presented before us.”
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