Written question WQ98051
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on how they are working with the Valuation Office to ensure that tourism and hospitality businesses have access to business rates relief?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is the statutory body responsible for classifying and valuing all non-domestic and domestic properties in Wales for local tax purposes. It does not have any direct role in the application of non-domestic rates reliefs. The administration of non-domestic rates, including billing and the application of reliefs, is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
Welsh Government officials meet with VOA representatives on a quarterly basis to review progress against the key performance indicators set out in the Service Level Agreement. The Welsh Government also convenes a regular strategic oversight group, consisting of senior officials from both the Welsh Government and the VOA. This group acts as a further forum to discuss the strategic and operational delivery of valuation services for local taxes in Wales.
Last year, the VOA implemented a significant IT transformation programme, which caused some short-term disruption to casework. In response, we increased our monitoring and received assurances that a recovery plan was in place. Initial technical issues have now been addressed, resulting in increased clearance rates and a reduction in outstanding cases.