07/10/2005

Fairer domestic rating a step nearer, says Minister

Plans to make the rating system fairer by basing rate bills on the capital value of homes from April 2007 are well underway, Finance Minister Jeff Rooker confirmed today.

The Minister was commenting as the Department of Finance & Personnel published the draft Rates (Capital values, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 for consultation, along with a consultation report and final Integrated Impact Assessment on charitable exemptions and reliefs.

The move would see buildings such as Orange Halls across Northern Ireland exempt from paying rates.

Launching the 12-week consultation, the Minister said: "The draft Order represents a key milestone on the path to making the rating system fairer, a process started by the former Northern Ireland Executive in 2000. It provides for the publication of the capital values of all domestic properties in Northern Ireland.

"These values will be the basis upon which rate bills will be calculated from April 2007 onwards."

Capital values of all Northern Ireland homes, meanwhile, will be published in April 2006, the Minister also confirmed.

(MB/GB)

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