We face very challenging times and I know our members and local Associations are working incredibly hard in very difficult circumstances. IRRV Staff at HQ and Council Members have been working to address key aspects of the working of the Institute and of course advising on issues at various levels of Government. As you can imagine things move quickly or need to be adapted and changed in light of a rapidly changing nation picture, however, we seek to communicate details where appropriate and provide updates as soon as we can.
The Budget 2020 announcements were initially as trailed and expected. For many this presented a real opportunity, to address a number of issues including the overall burden of business ates, coupled with a need to address concerns about the process of dealing with Checks, Challenges and Appeals. Of course support for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 was welcomed but some have highlighted that its was not just small businesses that has been impacted. The virus presented a real problem for all especially in the hospitality and leisure sectors in addition to the issues already affecting the retail sector. So the following week further support was announced only a week later and the IRRV is working hard with MHCLG and BEIS to work on ways that the support can be provided as quickly as possible.
HM Treasury has also committed to a further “fundamental review of business rates” and terms of reference have been announced. The IRRV submitted its views in advance of the budget and will respond to the review of business rates providing its expertise and views in due course. Part of the scope of that review will be to consider further fundamental changes in the medium to long term, albeit to some they seem to a rehash of issues already identified in previous consultations. A key issue being who pays the tax and exploring alternatives to business rates, “particularly within the taxation of land and property”. For many experienced valuers working in the field the suggestion that a land value tax is the solution is frankly misguided. If a land value tax were to be seriously considered, landlords and tenants will be reaching for their leases to see whether landlords are able to pass this tax onto their tenants. The other problem is the dearth of evidence and indeed how an aggrieved taxpayer will have access to the limited evidence. The publication of the technical assessment of the potential for Local Land Value Tax in Wales highlights that it is significantly more challenging than might at first be thought.
For many the announcement in England appears merely kicks the can well down the road and its not as if the Treasury Select Committee hadn’t spent nearly a year undertaking its own in-depth review. However given the unprecedented problems that we as a country indeed the world we are now faced a different challenge and that is to continue to support those who are at increased risk of infection and alone with the focus very much being on deal with a global pandemic.
In conjunction with senior staff and members of council we are seeking to prepare for the expected restrictions to contain the spread of the virus whilst seeking to reach out to those who need our support. Please remember the IRRV Benevolent fund is there to help members. We are also putting in place measures to support students working in Apprenticeships, those who were to be undertaking examinations and supporting best practice whilst providing ongoing support through continued professional development and the sharing of best practice.
In early March I was pleased to visit Bromsgrove, West Midlands attending the Dinner Dance hosted by IRRV West Midlands Association President Neil Jinks ably assisted by compare Andrew Ludwig. A most enjoyable evening and the Blackjack and Roulette tables were popular and the prize draw had numerous prizes so thanks to the sponsors and supporters. The following week was taken up with a personal pilgrimage to the home of jump racing and the Cheltenham Festival and I was pleased with the results with the racing, my best day was the Wednesday with a nice little accumulator (before I bailed out) and then of course the IRRV Cheltenham Challenge where I managed to finish third but congratulations to the winner Roger Draper who found 9 winners and accumulated 264 points well ahead of the rest of the field of nearly 50 entries.
I missed St Patricks Day at the Race as I travelled back to London for what now appears to the final event for some time as I attended the London & Home Counties Association Dinner at the Inn Keepers Hall. A most delightful setting in the City of London, a Grade II listed building (see below) featuring a beautifully preserved 17th Century Old Court Room and an impressive Great Hall. The dining menu and wines are a real treat and I can highly recommend this event. My thanks and those of wife Helen, go to the President of London Home Counties Chris Boylett and his fellow executive members including of course Chris Grose for all the organising behind the scenes. We also raised some additional funds via a raffle and auction for charity.
Sadly I was not as planned able to attend the Lancashire & Cheshire Association Dinner Dance an event I had been very much looking forward to, but my thanks to Catherine Nicholson, Association President. I’ve looked at the photo wall on line and all seemed to be having a great time.
So in closing I would like us all to remember that there is always hope – whilst the current situation is creating a severe threat to public health, our economic health and indeed for some present real mental health concerns we know that with the breadth and depth of our shared experience and we can collectively make a real difference working collaboratively and the IRRV as a whole will shine through.
