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. Th
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