SUMMARY OF MEETING - LOCAL AUTHORITY LIAISON GROUP MEETING
31 January 2007

PRESENT:

1. Apologies for Absence

• Keith Hodgson
• Tim Eden
• Andy Miller
• John Smallwood

2. Previous Minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed.

3. Matters Arising

There were concerns about: -

1. Billing Administration
2. NDR – Grants
3. LAGBI

4. Non Domestic Revaluation 2012

The following were discussed

• The merits in pursuing methods for prior agreement of rateable values of local authority occupied property for the Revaluation 2010, rather than bearing the cost of subsequent appeals.
  
• The LGA agreed to provide a paper specifying their requirements for the draft lists and the need for and frequency of update schedules. It is anticipated that the draft list will be published on 30 September 2009.
  
• The LGA will also consider any other requirements specific to revaluation. . The VOA was able to confirm that IT developments were in hand to improve the way that “dual list maintenance” was handled.

5. Council Tax

The impact on the VOA’s network of recent media broadcasts was discussed. Listing Officers have the duty to maintain correct valuation lists. However, the listing officer is not at liberty to amend the list unless there is a complied list error or a ‘material reduction’ according to the CT regulations.
Backdating Increases in Bands

Regulations came into force on 31 January but will not take effect until 1 April 2007. The significant change is that increases to bands arising from, for example, improvements and a sale, will only take effect from the date of the update schedule.

Other Issues: -

• Disaggregation, and a new, updated leaflet for taxpayers.
  
• A case on physical change in state of dwelling’s locality near M61 motorway.

6. Partnership Working

The meeting was updated the meeting on the progress of the Transformation of Maintenance Project.

Occupiers List – there are people who are concerned about the Data Protection List, it has received mixed reviews. Some authorities are happy with it whilst other are worried.

The group was requested the group to provide as much information as possible to the project team.

7. IT Update

• E-Bars Project Post Implementation Review
  The meeting was given an overview of the findings, recommendations and benefits that were identified from the Electronic BA Reports Post Implementation Review. The formal report would be issued to all relevant parties in February.
  
• Central Memorandum of Agreement (CMOA)
  The changes for the 2007/08 agreement has been drafted and will be sent out for input. Formal issue for signature by appropriate parties will happen during March.
  
• BA Questionnaire
  The meeting was informed that the BA questionnaire referred to at the September meeting had been sent out to BA’s in December. All BA’s are requested to complete and return the questionnaires by February 14th.
  

8. Frequency of Update Schedules

Groups received updates on Council Tax once a week. LA’s were asked what impact would it have if there were two Council Tax updates a week. The meeting members expressed reservations.

9. Rating Case Update

A brief update was provided.

10. Customer Services

LGA representative informed the group that he was pleased with the way local offices had dealt with queries raised after the Martin Lewis programme.

11. Date of Next Meeting

17th May 2007