§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council tax appeals lodged(a) before and (b) since 30 November 1993 have still to be determined by Aylesbury valuation office; and what target he has set for determinations to be completed. [30799]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesAs at the end of May, 423 of the appeals lodged before 30 November 1993 at the Valuation Office agency at Aylesbury, and 1,838 of those lodged after that date remain to be determined. All but a handful of the first category are expected to be settled by the summer. As regards the second, the VOA would expect appeals made prior to 1 April 1995 to be resolved no later than 31 March 1996. Its target is to clear subsequent appeals, in co-operation with the valuation tribunals, within 12 months of receipt. Priority will be given to clearing cases in order of receipt.