The Valuation Tribunal for Wales Regulations 2010

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations create a single valuation tribunal for Wales (“VTW”). The VTW replaces four tribunals (“the old tribunals”) and the valuation tribunal service for Wales.

These Regulations are made under sections 140(4) and 143(1) and (2) of, and paragraphs 1, 4 to 8, 11, 12 and 14 to 16 of Schedule 11 to, the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and section 24 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Parts 1 to 4 of these Regulations come into force on 1 April 2010 and Parts 5 and 6 come into force on 1 July 2010.

The VTW will deal with appeals made under the statutory provisions as defined in regulation 3.

The VTW will commence dealing with such appeals on 1 July 2010. All appeals up to and including 30 June 2010 will be transferred to the VTW.

These Regulations revoke the Valuation Tribunals (Wales) Regulations 2005 (“the 2005 Regulations”).

Part 2 of these Regulations provides for the establishment of the VTW, its Governing Council and the appointment of members, the president of the VTW, regional representatives and chairpersons.

Regulation 4 establishes the VTW on 1 April 2010.

Regulation 5 establishes the Governing Council on 1 July 2010.

Regulations 6 to 8 provide for the membership of the Governing Council and its functions.

Regulations 9 and 10 and Schedule 1 make provision for the number of members of the VTW, the number to be appointed by each appointing council and President, and their appointment and duration of membership.

Regulations 11 and 12 deal with the appointment of the VTW’s President and its Chairpersons.

Regulation 13 deals with the appointment of four regional representatives (who will be members of the Governing Council) and their deputies.

Regulation 14 provides for the circumstances in which a person is to be disqualified from membership.

Part 3 of these Regulations relates to staff, allowances for members, administration, accommodation and equipment.

Regulations 15 and 16 provide for the appointment of a Chief Executive (who is to be clerk to the VTW) and the appointment of other employees. The chief executive of the former tribunal valuation service for Wales is to be the first Chief Executive of the VTW. Regulation 15 also deals with the delegation of the Chief Executive’s functions.

Regulation 17 provides for allowances to be payable to members of the VTW as the Welsh Ministers determine.

Regulations 18 to 20 relate to administration, accommodation and equipment of the VTW.

Part 4 contains transitional provisions.

Regulation 21 provides for members of the old tribunals to transfer to the VTW.

Regulation 22 provides that chairpersons of the old tribunals are to be chairpersons of the VTW.

Regulation 23 provides for the transfer of staff of the former valuation tribunal service for Wales to the VTW.

Regulation 24 deals with the transfer of property, rights and liabilities of the former valuation tribunal service for Wales to the VTW.

Regulations 25 and 26 make provision in relation to transferred appeals and the winding up of the old tribunals and the former valuation tribunal service for Wales.

Part 5 provides for the procedure for dealing with appeals in relation to council tax, largely re-enacting the provisions in the 2005 Regulations.

Part 6 deals with revocations and amendments consequential on these Regulations.