Whilst the commercial property market traditionally sees a lull in activity during the Summer months, this years lull in activity seems to have started earlier than normal, probably due to the post general election aftermath and the resulting uncertainties from the hung Parliament. Business's investment plans, whether in property or elsewhere, have been paused whilst the policies of the new Coalition Government have emerged and their direction become more apparent. As the new Coalition Government gets to grips with the country's debt crisis and the content of the Emergency Budget is digested, hopefully businesses will feel able to start planning ahead with greater confidence.

The run up to the Autumn Spending Review is already becoming interesting, with leaked warnings of dire consequences if 25% or higher spending cuts are forced on any particular department. The public sector slim down will certainly be painful and resisted by the vested interests, who perhaps have become only too accustomed to ever increasing spending budgets! However, in my view, we have the stark choice between higher taxation or reduced public spending and all of us need to question what services we really need and ask whether they can't be provided more cheaply and efficiently than before.

Speaking of making one's views known, the Coalition Government is inviting the public to suggest laws we could do without via http://www.yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/ . With the residential property sector having already seen the suspension of HIPS, in the commercial sector, personally I would like to see the abandonment of EPCs, which in my view achieve little apart from add extra cost and delay to commercial property transactions.

Amongst the proposals already logged is a proposal to get rid of empty property rates tax. A nice idea, but with the government so strapped for cash, unlikely to see light of day, in my view, unfortunately! Worth supporting though!

In another new initiative the Government is asking you to suggest how and where spending cuts can be made and there is a Government website for your suggestions. When we look around us in Swindon at the millions of pounds recently spent in changing the pavements throughout the town centre and putting in that water feature, is it money well spent? Will it bring in new visitors to the town? Will it improve the trade of those shops in the town centre? Or have we as tax payers been short changed?

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