10 June 2002 Farren Encourages Full Turnout For Rating Review Seminars
The first of the public consultation seminars on the Northern Ireland Executive’s Review of Rating Policy gets underway tomorrow morning at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen. Other sessions will take place in Belfast and Derry on Wednesday and Thursday.
Plans to hold public seminars were announced last month in the Assembly by the Minister of Finance & Personnel, Dr Seán Farren, MLA. Commenting today, Dr Farren said:
"It has always been the Executive’s intention to address the issues surrounding the rating system in a considered, balanced, open and transparent way.
"The consultation paper that was published last month does not make any proposals or recommendations, but expresses the issues and the general options available. It sets out objectively the pros and cons of the possible changes that might be considered. But, as far as the Executive is concerned, nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out.
"The public consultation seminar beginning tomorrow is a demonstration of the Executive’s genuine neutrality and openness on the whole question of the review of our rating system. I would encourage as many people as possible to attend these meetings and to put forward their views.
"The Executive rightly feels that it is crucial for people to have their say on this complex and contentious matter. We are anxious to have submissions from every quarter. Responses will be examined with keen interest."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The first of the public consultation seminars on the Executive’s Review of Rating Policy takes place on Tuesday, June 11 in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen. Two further sessions will take place on Wednesday, June 12 in the Europa Hotel, Belfast and on Thursday, June 13 in the Everglades Hotel, Londonderry.
- Full details have been advertised in the daily press.
- The discussions will be chaired by an independent panel comprising:
Dr Brian Hanna CBE, formerly Chief Executive and Town Clerk of Belfast City Council;
David J. Bell CB, formerly Chief Lands Officer DoE (NI) and from 1988 to 1998 NI Commissioner for Valuation;
Prof Peter K. Brown, currently Professor of Property Taxation at John Moores University, Liverpool;
Prof Paddy Hillyard, currently Professor of Social Administration & Policy at the University of Ulster, and;
Prof Alastair S. Adair, currently Professor of Property Investment, and Head of the School of the Built Environment at the University of Ulster.
