This consultation seeks views on statutory guidance for local authorities, including combined authorities and combined county authorities, in England on the Best Value Duty. It is issued to local authorities in England under Section 26 of the Local Government Act 1999 and they are required to have regard to this guidance under the 1999 Act.
The guidance provides greater clarity to the local government sector on how to fulfil the Best Value Duty by describing what constitutes best value, the standards expected by the department and the models of intervention at the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ disposal in the event of failure to uphold these standards.
The consultation can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/best-value-standards-and-intervention-a-statutory-guide-for-best-value-authorities-consultation/consultation-on-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities-on-best-value-duty.
The closing date for responses is 15 August 2023.
The Government has launched a consultation on avoidance and evasion in the business rates system to protect essential funding for local services.
The consultation consists of three sections. The first focuses on specific proposals to reform Empty Property Relief, to address the most widely used and publicised means of business rates avoidance. This relief, when properly applied, provides important support to landlords with vacant properties: the Government is therefore seeking views on measures which aim to balance support for those who need it with limiting scope for abuse.
The second section serves as a call for evidence on wider avoidance and evasion activity within the business rates system. The Government welcomes any information respondents have on other methods of avoidance and evasion, and the scale of such activity. This section also includes questions on the sufficiency of the powers and information available to local authorities to combat avoidance and evasion.
The final section concerns poor practice by rating agents. The Government recognises that most rating agents provide a valuable service to their clients to a high professional standard. Nevertheless, some agents seek to take advantage of their clients or actively promote avoidance strategies. The consultation will seek to understand the nature and scale of any issues, and identify potential action the government could take to help address poor practice.
The consultation can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/business-rates-avoidance-and-evasion-consultation.
The closing date for responses is 28 September 2023.
The Welsh Government is launching a consultation on a proposal to provide improvement relief. This aims to supportgrowth and investment in the tax-base. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the Welsh Government proposes to provide the relief from 1 April 2024.
The consultation can be found at https://www.gov.wales/improvement-rates-relief.
The closing date for responses is 8 August 2023.
The Welsh Government is launching a consultation on proposals for non-domestic rates support for renewable energy. These measures are intended to support the Welsh Government’s ambitions for the transition away from the use of fossil fuels and the decarbonisation of heat.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, it is proposed to provide this support from 1 April 2024.
The consultation can be found at https://www.gov.wales/renewable-energy-rates-support.
The closing date for responses is 15 August 2023.
Improvement Relief will support businesses wishing to invest in their property. It will ensure that no ratepayer will face higher business rates bills for 12 months as a result of qualifying improvements to a property they occupy. The Non-Domestic Rating Bill currently before Parliament contains powers to allow for the Improvement Relief Scheme.
This consultation seeks views on the draft regulations the government proposes to make under the powers in that Bill.
The consultation can be found at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/business-rates-improvement-relief-draft-regulations.
The closing date for responses is 28 August 2023.
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