The details of the Budget Statement have now been confirmed the additional details of how the relief and grants are to operate. Eligible businesses and ratepayers across England will benefit from further support. The billing process we are advised government should be relatively simple to deal with provided the guidance is followed and appropriate schemes put in place. Time will tell but of course many in local government and of course those professional in private practice advising clients will be supporting ratepayers in navigating the rules. For those who practice in other devolved nations they will be grappling with the differing approaches in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is clear to many that whilst easy to collect business rates as a tax is complicated and for some difficult to comprehend.
The IRRV National Council has been working hard with HQ staff in preparation for our departure from Northumberland House and arrangements are in hand for a serviced office facility in Central London. The decision will be reviewed, in due course, once we have a better understanding of the impact of the pandemic and our requirements to support our members and student’s professional development and training needs.
A deal of time has been spent in February planning for our virtual Spring event to be held in May. Whilst we all want to get back to what we have been used to, the decision to go virtual in May proved to be the right decision in light of the road map set out by the Prime Minister.
A sub group of IRRV Council has also been working with the IRRV Senior Management team on our apprenticeship programme. Having completed a Certificate in Education a number of years ago and having been a School Governor previously I have been pleased to contribute and support all those involved with the running of our apprenticeship programme. That said we continue to offer a range of other courses leading to professional qualifications at various levels. You may have seen recognition of the hard work and dedication that our students and members have been putting in, over and above their normal day to day work on social media.
Undoubtably March will present a number of challenges with the announcements in the Budget to be implemented including an extension to business rates relief, continued use of furlough and grants to support high street shops, pubs restaurants and the personal services sector. Through the auspices of IRRV representatives we continue to highlight the importance of ensuring Local Authorities and indeed the Valuation Office Agency are appropriately resourced to ensure all aspects of the process can be delivered. I was pleased to attend recently a meeting of the Valuation Tribunal Users Group. The VTS has embraced the approach to virtual hearings and in the main the approach has been well received by all those using the service.
Sadly, still no opportunity as National President to visit Associations or indeed to host our kindred organisations or Past Presidents and Honorary Members but I have in my diary planned meetings on behalf of the Institute including a meeting of the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber Users Group. I also have a key event for the end of the month – “Tax Day” – 23rd March, three weeks after the Budget and is being trailed by the Treasury as the start of consultations on long-term changes in government tax policy. Aside from capital gains and environmental levies it will provide detail of the responses to the Fundamental Review of Business Rates. The extra three-week window may allow the government to gauge reaction to the Budget announcements but I suspect many businesses and local authorities alike will want to know what others have said about the Fundamental Review of Business Rates. It seems inevitable that reforms are going to be made to business rates system and indeed how the avalanche of Covid related Material Change in Circumstance Appeals to be cleared. Clearly all the announcements will have implications on the government’s finances but it will impact local services too. I remain of the view that reform of the Council Tax system should not be ruled out given that it was first introduced some 28 years ago and has not been revalued or revised in England in the intervening period.
So having rested my feet from my volunteering this morning my attention now turns to the garden and it’s a bright, beautiful day – make the most of the delightful Spring weather and trusting you have a Happy Easter break.
Keep safe and well
Andrew Hetherton
