Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government
Today I am publishing a summary of responses to the technical consultation on the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) Regulations 2023 (“the Regulations”). I am also confirming that we will move forward with the reforms to the non-domestic rates appeals system which the Regulations will underpin.
The Welsh Government previously consulted on proposals for reform of the non-domestic rating (NDR) appeals system, between 17 October 2017 and 9 January 2018. One of the key messages from the consultation responses was that no changes should be made midway through an NDR list and the optimal timing for changes would be to coincide with a revaluation. The next revaluation will be implemented on 1 April 2023.
On 29 March 2022, I made an Oral Statement setting out the Welsh Government’s plans to reform non-domestic rates during the current Senedd term. These plans include pursuing more frequent revaluations in the future. Changes to the appeals system, underpinned by the adoption of a digital platform delivered by the Valuation Office Agency, will be a critical enabler for this objective, ensuring that ratepayers in Wales are able to benefit from ongoing improvements.
A technical consultation on a draft of the Regulations ran from 19 July to 11 October 2022. It asked for views on the clarity of the Regulations and for any other comments about them.
Following the consultation, we will be making a small number of changes to the drafting of the Regulations, to ensure they achieve the policy intention. I will bring forward the Regulations in due course and, subject to the approval of the Senedd, it remains our intention that they will come into force on 1 April 2023.
A summary of responses to the technical consultation is available.