27 Sep 2007 - Robinson meets Sir Michael Lyons to discuss rating system
The Finance Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA met with Sir Michael Lyons this evening to discuss a range of issues that focus on the rating system here.
Sir Michael has recently carried out a major review of Local Government and local taxation in England. Describing the meeting, the Minister said:
“I am keen to examine the latest thinking on matters concerning local taxation and Sir Michael has given me valuable insights into the aspects that have to be addressed in England.
“There are differences, of course but I was struck by the fact that most of the big issues are common to both jurisdictions, notably the take-up of benefits and reliefs and the impact on pensioners and others in the asset-rich income-poor category.
“I am very keen to receive as wide a range of views as possible and this includes tapping into existing research, where it is relevant to the current further review of rating and local taxation and beneficial to this part of the United Kingdom."
The meeting, which took place at the Ministerial offices in Craigantlet Buildings, Stormont, also covered possible alternatives or supplements to the rating system in the longer term:
“We had very useful discussions on issues such as the rating of empty homes and vacant land, with obvious benefits for housing affordability, as well as their potential for raising revenue.”
The Minister finished by saying that:
“All of these matters are being addressed in the current review of the domestic rating system in NI and meetings such as this are designed to enable me to make the best possible decisions to deliver a more acceptable rating system for the people of Northern Ireland.”
Notes to Editors
- Sir Michael Lyons’ final report of his ‘Inquiry into Local Government’ was published on 21 March 2007. The initial terms of reference asked him to make recommendations on the reform of Council Tax, to consider the case for shifting the balance of funding and to conduct analysis of other options for local taxation including local income tax, non-domestic (business) rates and other local taxes and charges. The remit was extended in late 2005 to also look at the structure, role and function of local government, as well as funding, in terms of its work on local taxation.
- On 15 May 2007 the Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MP MLA, the Minister of Finance & Personnel, announced a review of the new domestic rating system introduced by Direct Rule Ministers in April 2007. The Terms of Reference for the review were agreed by the Executive and reflected the Government’s intention to examine a wide range of options for change in the short and longer terms and to do so in a focused and accelerated fashion rather than engage in a process of prolonged analysis and review.
- A 12-week consultation began on 11 June and finished on 31 August. The purpose of the consultation was to seek views on what improvements could be made to the existing system in time for next year’s rates bill and also to address longer term issues including possible alternatives to the current arrangements. The findings of the consultation were published on 25th September 2007
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