10 September 2001
Ratepayers who have appealed against their rateable values because
of the effects of foot and mouth disease on their businesses will
be hearing shortly from their local Valuation Office (VOA) about
temporary reductions.
Stephen Wright who is coordinating the agency's response to foot
and mouth explained, 'During September we will begin offering reductions
where we have been able to get evidence that a business has been
adversely affected by the disease. We have been collecting information
from many sources including talking to members of the National Ratepayers
Valuation Forum (NRVF), representatives of businesses, professional
bodies, local authorities and the Valuation Tribunals.'
Stephen did however express concern about the lack of response
from some rating advisors, 'We have asked all appellants to fill
in questionnaires about the impact on their businesses. Un-represented
ratepayers have responded well to this, however the response from
rating advisors has been disappointing. I would urge rating professionals
to respond to these enquiries as quickly as possible so that local
valuation officers are in a position to make the best possible appraisal.'
Stephen concluded, 'We plan to deal with all priority appeals by
December 2001 at the latest. The independent Valuation Tribunals
will aim to hear by 31 March 2002 any cases not settled by agreement
between ourselves and the appellant.'
Notes for editors
- To date the Valuation Office has received 79000 appeals on foot
and mouth grounds.
- Priority is being given to appeals related to foot and mouth
disease where either;
the business is of a type where property values have been particularly
badly affected by the disease. Generally these are farming related
trades or tourism but the exact categories will be decided by
local Valuation Officers in the light of their local knowledge;
or
the ratepayer is not represented by a professional rating adviser.
- Priority will also continue to be given to any appeal,
whether or not affected by foot and mouth disease, where the ratepayer
is suffering hardship.
- Ratepayers are entitled to make an appeal for a reduction in
the rateable value of their property if they feel that its value
has been adversely affected by the impact of restrictions associated
with foot and mouth disease.
- Buildings and land used solely for agricultural
purposes are exempt from rating.
- The Valuation Office is an Executive Agency of the Inland Revenue
- it carries out valuations for non-domestic (business) rating
purposes, and banding for council tax on behalf of the Department
of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in England and
the National Assembly for Wales.
For further information
VOA web-site: www.voa.gov.uk
Media enquiries: 0207 506 1927
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