Appeals to Valuation Tribunal for Council Tax – 1 day
About this course:
Local authorities have powers to award discounts, reliefs and exemptions from council tax bills, to serve completion notices for newly constructed, partially completed or substantially altered dwellings, and to impose penalties if lawfully requested information is not supplied. Persons affected by any of these actions have the right to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal to settle any dispute with the Council. Local authority officers responsible for the administration of these reliefs and those who attend Tribunal hearings must have full knowledge of the law relating to these reliefs and the ability to satisfactorily represent their authority at Tribunal hearings.
Learning outcome:
At the end of this course, delegates will have a full working understanding of the law relating to the various reliefs, exemptions, discounts, completion notices and penalties that can be subject to the Valuation Tribunal appeals process. They will also be briefed on the processes they need to follow to ensure a successful outcome for the authority in appeals to the Tribunal. Through the use of some role play, delegates will have an understanding of the procedures adopted at Tribunal hearings, how their evidence should be structured and submitted and how to cross examine the appellants and any witnesses or representatives brought forward by the appellants.
Suitable for:
- Staff responsible for administration of council tax (including customer services officers)
- Staff responsible for appearing at Tribunal on behalf of their authority
Content:
Legislation
- Résumé of the appropriate legislation
- Practical application of the legislative requirements
- Importance of statutory procedural requirements
Administration
- Importance and significance of proper record keeping
- Maintaining regular contact with the Valuation Tribunal Service
- Preparation for Tribunal hearings
- The three “Ps”
- Assembling the evidence
The hearing
- Observing the protocols of well managed hearings
- Cross examination of appellants, witnesses and representatives
- Submitting a sound concluding summary
Role play
- The course concludes with a case study acted out in a Tribunal setting
For more information about our training services please call us on 0800 072 9844 or email us.