Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 November 2009. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Thursday, 12 November 2009 on behalf of the Treasury.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the reduction in business rate assessments on newly-rated businesses on Hull docks consequent on the Valuation Office Agency's decision to transfer the charges to Associated British Ports; and what estimate he has made of the equivalent figures should such a decision be taken in relation to the port businesses in (a) Grimsby, (b) Immingham and (c) Goole.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.For the port of Hull, some areas have been merged with the assessment for the statutory port on the basis of new information and agreement of the facts between the parties. This reflects the success of the "fast-track" appeals process applied by the Valuation Office Agency to cases involving a backdated liability. Where ratepayers co-operate and provide the information requested, the Agency has been able to review the rating lists and make amendments to reflect new information that has a material affect on the assessment. In the port of Hull this has resulted in a reduction of £1.1 million in the total rateable value of occupations separately assessed for the first time from 1 April 2005.Where changes have not been made this is either because the facts do not support correction of the rating lists or the parties have not agreed the facts that may still prove material. It is not possible to provide an estimate of whether there will be similar changes in the ports of Grimsby, Immingham and Goole.

Secondary information