Following the governments recent consultation, plans to reform the business rates appeal system have been shelved.
The Government recently asked for ratepayers, local authorities and rating agents to provide information on how they felt the system could be improved and be more responsive to economic changes.
Over 7o responses were received and it is following this that the Government has decided to postpone taking any action to reform the business rates appeal system.
The initial purpose of the reform was to improve the operation of the appeals process, which would have requested ratepayers to provide a more detailed explanation as to why they were challenging their current rateable value.
The reform of the appeal system will now instead be included in the overall review of the business rates administration system, which will most likely now be after the next revaluation in 2017.