§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much regional selective assistance was given, and how many jobs were created or safeguarded as a result, for each travel-to-work area in Wales subject to assisted area status in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. RedwoodIt is not possible to provide information on jobs associated with individual payments of regional selective assistance. Information on RSA offers accepted in 1991–92 together with forecasts of job creation and safeguarding is as follows:
Wales by 24 June, the great majority in the first month of the initial appeal period. The rate at which new proposals have been received, however, has subsequently fallen significantly.
We expect the agency and valuation tribunals to have settled some 38,000 council tax banding appeals in Wales by 31 December 1994, just 13 months after the initial appeal period ends on 30 November 1993. Any remaining appeals will be decided as rapidly as possible in 1995.
In keeping with citizens charter principles, the agency has set standards of service for handling appeals. On receipt of a proposal the Valuation Office Agency's objective will be:
To acknowledge receipt of proposals within 14 days (against a statutory deadline of 28 days);
To make the taxpayer an offer, within 60 days, to reband the property if the initial banding is clearly wrong;
To let taxpayers know within 90 days if the agency believes the original banding is correct and that they intend to defend that decision; and
In any other case, to make contact with taxpayers within 120 days and give them a named contact within the VOA for further discussion.
Council tax payers should have their appeals settled as quickly and efficiently as possible, giving appropriate priority to identified cases of hardship. We shall monitor progress to ensure that this is so and keep our plans under review in light of developments.
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