As I was contemplating my update the General Election was in full swing but by the time you read it the campaigning activities of the main parties will have ended, results announced and hopefully the focus of your attention for the last couple of weeks of 2019 will have been on the meeting with relatives, friends and enjoying the festive season. The outcome of the General Election is important for a number of reasons not only a significant majority for the Johnson Government but also for the number of pledges made, many of which will have a direct impact on your work and that of the Institute.
It has to be said therefore that the coming year will need to address a number of the key issues in our sector. The IRRV has with the support of its members, elected Council and staff been at the fore during the last year when it comes to supporting the work of local councils, highlighting the need to adequately resource those that work in the sector (including the VOA), addressing the concerns of those that pay Council Tax, Business Rates and of course calling out the apparent failings of the Check Challenge Appeal system and to suggest constructive changes for the benefit of all.
The Queen's speech followed quickly on from the General Election result and for many the hope is an end to a politically and economically turbulent period and the focus of attention now turning to the government’s legislative programme. I hope you return from the festive break, refreshed and with renewed vigour to make a difference. There have already been some welcome indicators that Government is prepared to listen and engage. I was pleased to hear in some of the coverage in the press the importance of local knowledge to inform the decision making process, a transformative approach with a vision to make a difference. The key is to ensure radical changes are not made on whim. For real change to work what is needed, is to listen to what is being said, to have self-discipline, not self-indulgence, understand needs and develop a strategy based on our professional training and experience..
Business Rates was mentioned in the Queen’s speech with the new government seeking to make good on its manifesto pledges to provide even more support for small independent businesses and claims that reforms and reliefs will reduce the burden by more than £13bn over the next five years. We have already seen a switch from RPI to CPI indexation, increases in the threshold for the standard multiplier to £51,000 and doubling the threshold for small business rates relief, meaning over 675,000 of the smallest businesses benefiting from paying no rates at all. We will see the return of the governments planned Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill 2017-19 recognising that rating revaluations must take place more frequently and plans for three yearly revaluations to take place from 2021. But I note the demise of some major names in the retail sector over the last decade Toys R Us, Borders, Tie Rack, Bhs, Staples, Blockbuster, Maplin, Barratts, Phone 4 U to name but a few and the latest figures suggest that during 2019 60 shops closed each day. So more needs to be done and despite the calls from specific sectors, a more fundamental change is needed. To that end the IRRV will seek to be at the fore when it comes to providing advice and seeking to address the issues. It is essential to address the underlying issues facing the high street and town centres but what also needs to be recognised is that the issues are not confined to the small retailer but all businesses and indeed the resourcing of local government and the provision of local services key to making a difference for all our communities.
The Institute has broad areas of practice, so aside from valuation and business rates, addressing the financing of Local Government and ensuring those most in need is key, the expertise of our members dealing with revenues, welfare and benefits will focus our minds in 2020. It is imperative therefore that parliamentarians work collaboratively and take advice from sector specialists/experts and those working in local authorities, to produce a set of clear and coherent policy objectives to deliver change. Such reforms will need to encompass the need for housing reform, the need for shaping a resilient and sustainable future, address climate change and address housing issues.
The end of November and early part of December has to my mind been particularly busy time I was particularly pleased to be able to meet two delegations to the UK looking at the financing of sub regional government and the support offered by the IRRV. The first a delegation from the peopled Republic of China looked at the financing of sub regional and central government and secondly representatives from the Korean Association of Property Appraisers who were looking at options for property taxation. I attended the Rating Diploma Holders Lunch and CPD event at the RAF Club at the end of November. The CPD event included an address by Ruud Kathmann of the Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment on the Dutch System of property tax and valuation. Lunch followed with an entertaining after dinner address by IRRV Honorary Member Patrick Bond.
Attending regional events and reaching out to our members, regional Associations and sponsors enabled me to visit the East Midlands Association Gala Dinner (they know how to party) as well as two visits to Scotland within a month. First for the Scottish Benefits and Welfare Conference in Grangemouth. The second to address the Benefits Forum Meeting held at Edinburgh City Council’s Offices and to attend the Non Domestic Rates Practitioners’ Group hosted by Scottish Government. The added bonus was a very memorable Christmas Drinks reception hosted by the IRRV Scottish Association President Lesley Henderson and the Scottish Association Executive.
The highlight of the last week before Christmas was not the General Election results, nor attending the Racehorse Owners Association Awards ceremony but being able to attend the IRRV Staff Christmas Lunch which along with secret Santa gifts afforded me the opportunity to thank all our staff for their work and present a Christmas Cake made and decorated by my wife.
All that remains is for me to do is to wish you all a very Happy and prosperous New Year.
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