Rating team success with Welsh Local Authorities bucks trend

Almost three-quarters of challenges result in a reduction

24 November 2016

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Over one million challenges against the 2010 local non-domestic rating list in England and Wales had been received by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) by 30 September 2016, according to the latest statistical figures released by the agency on 16th November. Of the 1.04 million challenges resolved (around 73%), only 29% (220,000) had resulted in a change to the appellant’s rating list, while 71% (544,000) had been unsuccessful.

In contrast, recent analysis conducted by Cooke & Arkwright’s specialist Business Rate Department revealed a much higher success rate for appeals conducted on behalf of eight Welsh local authorities.  The figures showed that of the total of 2010 list appeals conducted by the team on behalf of these clients, 72.38% had brought about an agreed reduction.

Associate Director, Jane Shankland comments, “Our success rate in representing our Welsh local authority clients is probably unparalleled and completely reverses the trend reported by the VOA, where almost three-quarters of challenges met with no success. We believe this is a reflection of the robust, highly professional and vigorous approach to negotiations adopted by the rating team here at Cooke & Arkwright.”

Cooke & Arkwright have been providing Newport City Council with rating advice for over 20 years. Andrew, Jane and Huw provide a personal and professional service and have an excellent knowledge of the Council’s assets which has enabled the Council to achieve substantial rate savings. A useful service offered is the status report which provides us with a snapshot of what appeals have been made and appeals outstanding throughout the life of the List. I would recommend Cooke & Arkwright Rating Services to any company wishing to procure up-to-date and professional rating advice.

Eirian Jones, Estates Team Leader, Newport Norse