Non-domestic Rates

HC Deb 02 February 2000 vol 343 cc618-9W

Ms Kelly

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to make changes to the appeals system for non-domestic rates valuations from 1 April 2000; and if he will make a statement. [108602]

Ms Armstrong

In March 1999, as part of the Financial Management and Policy Review of the Valuation tribunal service, we consulted on possible changes to the appeals system for business rates. Appeals against a rating assessment can take some years to resolve because of the sheer numbers that are received. At present, businesses are too often in the dark about when their appeal will be considered. This is unacceptable. I believe it is important to businesses that they are given this information and an opportunity to make representations to appropriate bodies for earlier action if they believe this to be necessary.

Therefore we propose the following reforms to improve the business rates appeals system: a new comprehensive programme setting out when ratepayers can expect their appeals to be considered by the Valuation Officer and, if any remain unresolved, when the case may be heard by the Valuation Tribunal; the opportunity for ratepayers to make representations if they believe that their place in the timetable is unreasonable; improvements in the quality and timeliness of information provided to ratepayers about their valuations; clear guidelines on what information the ratepayer should be given and when; work towards ending the culture of brinkmanship by cutting off last minute discussions prior to the hearing at the Tribunal; on a trial basis, exchanging information on valuations prior to Tribunal hearings.

We will also encourage early submissions of appeals, limiting the extent to which late appeals can be retrospective. Existing rating lists will close to any new appeals on 31 March 2001.

I believe that these and other initiatives will bring greater clarity to the appeals system and more certainty to businesses about when their appeals will be resolved. They will be achieved through a combination of regulation and best practice.

Priority will be given to the settlement of appeals relating to the 1995 rating list and previous lists. We intend to deal with these appeals as far as possible before work starts on new appeals against the 2000 list.