IRRV President's Letter - July 2021

Outside its not at all like summer overcast, wind and rain abound but thankfully the IRRV Associations Golf competition took place earlier in the week when teams gathered at Maxstoke Park Golf Course for this annual event. Bob Trahern organiser extraordinary ably assist by myself, David Magor and Council member Ian Ferguson dished out goodies for the assembled teams. The event was blessed with what now appears to have been the better day of weather for the week to come. A big thank you to the sponsors who supported the event and to those who were able to attend – this the first in person event for me as IRRV National President in the last 16 months.

The month of June has been and extremely busy month with a series of meetings and IRRV events. 

IRRV was pleased to present the “Summer Series” which provided members and practitioners with a series of seminars covering the latest in local taxation and revenues, the approach and potential for a new dawn for the post pandemic rating system, the challenge of reforming welfare, the approach to fraud and investigation and finally the significant of enforcement of debt and re-starting compliance and enforcement. All these issues will play their part in framing the working of IRRV members in the coming weeks and no doubt months to come.

I was also pleased to be able to attend IRRV East Anglia Association a virtual event and was able to provide an update on the work of the IRRV on professional matters and David Magor provided details of the work being undertaken by IRRV staff. There has certainly been plenty of issues for those working in our profession.

I have in the last month been able to attend the Valuation Tribunal User Group meeting (VTUG) VTUG and the coming month will also see an additional Professional Bodies Liaison Group meeting to consider particular issues with the current Check Challenge Appeal system presenting detailed issues for practitioners. The highlighting of such issues which affect ratepayers and their agents insofar as detailed workings of the CCA system are not the only issue however with local authorities also encountering issues with the processing of reports for omissions and inaccuracies in the rating list which have a direct impact on local authority revenue. 

The introduction of a bill the Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) was being considered by the Bill Committee. Brought about as a result of significant numbers of Material Change in Circumstance proposals from ratepayers many of whom are represented by IRRV members. The government considered that the system including the submission of MCCs and reductions in rate liability is not the right approach to deal with the impacted of pandemic with economic wide impacts. I was pleased to work with members of IRRV Council and indeed the Faculty Boards to consider the detail of the Bill. It was good to see IRRV Chief Executive David Magor invited to provide evidence to the Bill Committee and a written submission was also provided. As an Institute and with the breadth and depth of experience it still remains abundantly clear to me that there is further work to do in ensuring the parliamentarians and indeed many businesses appear to struggle to understand the business rate system. The IRRV is well placed to inform and frame the approach to such legislation. The Bill having completed its committee stage is now reported to the House of Commons and go to third reading prior being considered by the House of Lords. It seems at present that Royal Ascent is unlikely until the Autumn. IRRV has highlighted this and pressed for early publication of guidance on how the relief which accompanies the Bill is to be apportioned and indeed distributed. 

As many readers will know a Consultation has also been launched on the frequency of revaluations  as part of the ongoing work of government on the Fundamental Review of Business Rates  - responses are due by 24th August 2021 that undoubtably will require input from members and indeed the Faculty Boards and various committees of IRRV Council in the coming few weeks.  Whilst seeking to promote improved fairness both for ratepayers and other stakeholders there are a number of implications for us all in the profession on the outcomes of this consultation and the likely reforms to follow.

As I write IRRV Council will be preparing to meet in late July and consider not only how the Institute is adapting and changing but also ensuring that we are in a position to continue to support our members and students. It is pleasing to note that the conferences and events are starting to appear in my diary. Celebrating success and the work of members and their colleagues across the profession who have worked so hard over the last 18 months is essential and to that end I was pleased to see a great selection of applications for the IRRV Performance Awards. Whilst the judging will encompass more of a virtual inspection approach, we can all hopefully look forward to celebrating success in person at the IRRV National Conference and Exhibition with a return to Telford between the 6th and 8th of October.

On that note I want to wish you all the best for the summer holidays, take the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, enjoy the summer holiday period and let's look forward to what undoubtably will be a busy few months to come in the Autumn.