An Uncertain Future Facing the Profession Towards 2020 Ian Ferguson IRRV (Hons) National President Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation David Magor OBE IRRV (Hons) Chief Executive

There will be trouble ahead! The Institute Brexit Local Taxation Council Tax Non Domestic Rates Welfare Reform Housing Benefit Universal Credit

The Challenges Facing the Institute An active elected Council Growing and maintaining the membership The challenge of the market place Financial sustainability Professional involvement The changing face of revenues, valuation and benefits The education and qualification process

Membership and Education are the keys Maintaining and growing the membership Encouraging new entrants Retaining existing members Offering more Creating an education and qualification process that is fit for purpose A syllabus that is work oriented Educational facilities that are accessible A qualification that is respected

Brexit The task of disentangling A negotiated withdrawal – soft or hard? A new relationship with a reformed Europe? Many shades of “Out” !! What will Westminster do The Queens Speech For two years!! Over the single market and freedom of movement? Ireland could be a problem!! Scrutiny of the negotiations for the new order

A Message from the DCLG I am emailing because as you will have no doubt seen, the Queen’s Speech did not include a new Local Government Finance Bill and so it will not form part of the Parliamentary timetable for this session. However, Ministers remain committed to local government taking greater control of their income, as outlined in the Manifesto. We are engaging Ministers on the options for future reform without an immediate Bill and we will be touch once we are in a position to resume working with you on the future of local government finance reform. In the meantime, I wanted to thank you for all your constructive work on this issue, and I look forward to working with you in future. Ministers also remain determined to address concerns about the fairness of current funding distributions.  They have reaffirmed their commitment to a thorough, evidence-based review and we will continue to work with the LGA and local government on this.

Local Taxation Modernise the Council Tax Is it time for a wholesale modernisation, not tinkering around the edges but no major movement for two years!! Discrete values against banded values Variable tax rates Annual revaluation using AVMs Sort out the Reduction Scheme Modernise discounts and exemptions

Where are we now with the Non-Domestic Rate? Lost in a two year void!! An arrow to the heart of local government finance What of the combined authorities? What of the pilots? A complete rethink? Where does Fairer Funding fit in? What of 100% retention?

What are the Wider Arguments about the Non Domestic Rate? Is it fair? Is the future of the rating system at risk? Is it too much of a burden on the ratepayer? Is the assessment methodology appropriate to the 21st Century? The wider argument on the contribution that industry and business should make to local services or for that matter to the Central Government

Local Taxation - Are There Any Real Alternatives? Land Value Tax Land Transaction Tax Local Sales Tax Internet Transaction Tax Payroll Tax Dramatic increase in charging for services Increase the standard rate of income tax by at least 6 pence or as much as 11 pence in the £!!

Welfare Reform Housing Benefit Universal Credit Managing the changes Local authorities have delivered! Universal Credit A situation report The roll out A disaster waiting to happen (if it hasn’t happened already!)? Is there really a role of local government? If there is, who is going to fund it?

In Conclusion The wider impact of BREXIT Local taxation Council tax Non domestic rate The uncertainty of welfare reform Devolved powers Universal Credit Residue housing benefit The future of the profession in an uncertain world