There's confusion in the Cotswolds over the Government's business rates relief scheme with one businessman at least receiving a court summons.

Cotswold District Council has sought clarification from many businesses to ensure they are still eligible to receive small business rates relief.

In many cases the businesses received notices in mid-March indicating they were going to be given the relief for the 2017/2018 financial year.

However, Ian Sloan, principal of Bankier Sloan chartered surveyors, which has an office in Moreton-in-Marsh, said: "We know of cases where the council have initially given relief, but have withdrawn it in the last month because companies have not returned the forms provided to them to confirm they are still eligible.

"It is confusing for many businesses; in one hand they have a note from Cotswold Council saying they have the relief for the whole year and in the other a court summons for the same period."

One businessman affected is Peter Watson, who runs Cox's Architectural Doors Ltd on the Fosseway Business Park at Moreton, who has been summonsed to appear before Gloucester magistrates on Friday, September 15, owing over £6,000 in unpaid business rates.

Mr Watson said: "We were a bit surprised to be summonsed to appear before the magistrates court because we assumed we were included in the business rate relief scheme having had notification earlier in the year.

"It turns out that we had to fill in a form. I understand there are a number of people in the same situation.

"It would appear that one hand doesn't know that the other hand is doing. I'm coming up to retirement and this is one more nail in the coffin. It's just one more reason for us not to renew the lease."

In a statement Cotswold District Council said: "We can confirm that we carried out a review of companies receiving Small Business Rates Relief. We sent a review form to all recipients to complete and return and followed this up with a reminder when required.

"In cases where we received no response, we were obliged to remove relief back dated to 1 April 2016 and send a bill for the outstanding amount. In most instances this prompted a response. However, the company mentioned in Punchline article did not respond to any of our letters, which also included a reminder and final notice prior to our issuing a summons.

"Regarding the particular case cited by Punchline, the amended bill was issued on 11 April 2017, a reminder was sent on 19 June 2017, a final notice was sent on 17 July with the summons being issued on 18 August."

The council said the process had been underway for several months.

The council spokesman said: "When the company received the final notice a representative finally contacted us; we explained the process and sent them a replacement review form - which again was not returned.

"However, we are pleased to say that we have now received confirmation that the firm is still entitled to receive Small Business Rates Relief and it has been re-instated with effect from 1 April 2016."