This month, our President highlights how the Institute is grasping the opportunity to influence government policy :
Dear reader,
On 7th February, I attended the joint MHCLG (formerly DCLG) and LGA System Design Working Group, which discusses the possible detailed working of business rates in the future with 100% (or 75%?!) local retention. At present the group is looking at reform within existing legislation to be implemented in 2020/21. With Brexit taking up so much government time, there is little room for primary legislation until after 2020/21. Meanwhile, our discussions will inform the consultation process, allowing a long term proposal for reform.
The System Design Working Group is planning to discuss seven core technical papers over the coming months, supplemented by other papers in response to our discussions. We started with a paper on the Central and Local Rating Lists. At this stage, these papers are largely concerned with the technical working of how the rate income is distributed to local authorities and will feed into future consultation papers.
Despite Brexit, it does seem that if the government really wants to do something, it will. Hence the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Relief from Non-Domestic Rates) Act received Royal Assent on 8th February and will give 100% relief to new full fibre infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the IRRV is making progress on the plans for this year’s Performance Awards and I am pleased that Paul Sinha has agreed to host the Awards Dinner in Telford. Paul was born in Britain of Bengali parents and qualified as a doctor while also taking his initial venture into the world of stand-up comedy. He is now a full-time comedian, radio presenter and TV personality. If you ever have time to watch tea-time TV, you will recognise him from the ITV quiz show “The Chase”.
On the technical side, in February the Institute responded to the consultations on “Business Rates in Multi-occupied Properties (re. Woolway v Mazars) [England]” and “Default County Court Judgements [England and Wales]”.
March began with a cold snap, bringing snow all over Britain. Fortunately, the Institute’s Policy Committee had planned a teleconference on our budget and the direction of the Institute. We made good progress and I am optimistic that changes to make us fit for the future will be in place sooner rather than later.
Yours,
Gordon
Gordon Heath BSc IRRV (Hons) is President of the Institute
