I am hoping that you have taken the opportunity to take some much-needed relaxation and rest over the extended Bank Holiday weekend because undoubtably there are going to be some challenges ahead.
A significant challenge for Ratepayers and their Agents was expected to be the processing of 110s of 1,000s of Challenges seeking to reduce their Rateable Value and thus liability for Business Rates all that had has gone up in a “puff of smoke” as a result of the announcement that the Government laid regulations, immediately removing the ability to submit challenges stating “that market-wide economic changes to property values, such as from Covid-19, can only be properly considered at general rates revaluations” going on to say that retrospective legislation was also to be brought forward wiping the slate clean for all those submitted. From just before Christmas the headlines suggesting significant reductions in assessments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic had been subject to much discussion across our profession.
On the one hand ratepayers and their agents were legitimately using the law to manage and reduce their risk, protect their business and the livelihoods of their employees. The announcement in the Budget for further Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief and restart grants provided much needed help to many. At the same time as withdrawing grounds for MCC appeals a further £1.5 billion discounts were announced. Not every was to benefit however and the flip side to the support is the cost not only to the Exchequer but also how it is to be implemented in practice.
The work of administering reliefs and grants for business rates has fallen upon Local Authorities when they too were experiencing the unprecedented effects of lockdown, having to grapple with staff working from home, an inability to meet up with friends, family or work colleagues and a totally different way of life. For some there has been grief for the loss of family or friends taken too soon, for others its dealing with their own physical and mental health. The work of the Institute however will focus on practical ways in which we can support all our members and those in the profession to implement the changes.
The good news is that as President a number of events are starting to be pencilled in the diary perhaps providing some respite from Teams, Zoom or GotoMeeting.
March saw numerous meetings and discussion on the Budget and its implications, the impact of regulatory changes already mentioned. I attended the first formal meeting of the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber Users Group. It was announced that Mr Andrew Trott FRICS, a Valuer Member of the Tribunal and all those present wished him well for his retirement. It was interesting to hear how his time at the Tribunal was “bookended” but cases relating to airports and I am sure, if allowed, that he would have a few stories to tell of all cases in between.
I also attended the Business Rates Advisory Forum (BRAF) which took place on “Tax Day” which was lauded as signalling long-term government policy and the publication by HM Treasury of a number of consultations relating to tax, its administration and policy development. For Business Rates, this was focused on the responses to the Fundamental Review of Business Rates and not much more than that. Personally, I found the responses fairly predictable but was more disappointing was the lack of attendance at BRAF from key government departments and agencies. It should not be a tick-box exercise and remembered that those attending do so in order to not only listen but engage and question. Such engagement cannot be allowed to be a one-way street.
The work of the IRRV continues and the Council meeting taking place in late April will focus on the preparations for the Spring Series. The staff and management have also been focused on a recent inspection of our Apprenticeship Course, but despite that work has continued on providing members with regular updates, newsletters and technical support.
The Performance Awards Panel also meet to look at arrangements for the submission of entries for 2021. Having to postpone these last year the approach this year is based on the same nine categories covering three ‘team’ and six ‘excellence’ categories with submissions being delivered online. The process will provide us all to celebrate excellence together and showcase the outstanding work of our members and the profession.
As I close the weather has turned and we are now encountering a cold snap, snow and frost in April? Its all change in the meantime keep safe and enjoy the start of a journey to near normal reality.
