Decision details

The Government require each local authority to provide an estimate of their Non-Domestic Rates income for each financial year. This forecast includes a section to record potential losses from rateable value appeals.

The SRP partners (Ipswich Borough Council, Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council) have used a company to undertake a forensic analysis of the rating list to provide a forecast on the potential losses from appeal, on a quarterly basis.

A contract was awarded to Wilks, Head and Eve for the production of a NNDR appeals forecast for each quarter to support the completion of the NNDR 1 and NNDR 3 for Babergh, Ipswich and Mid Suffolk Councils. This contract expired on the 31/5/2022.

A 12 month contract has been awarded to Wilks, Head and Eve through a direct award via ESPO framework 2700-22 Estates Management, Professional Services for the production of a NNDR appeals forecast to support the completion of the NNDR 1 and NNDR 3 for Babergh, Ipswich and Mid Suffolk Councils. The total cost is £22,720k for the year and is split as follows:

• Babergh District Council - £7,240k

• Ipswich Borough Council - £8,240k

• Mid Suffolk District Council - £7,240k

The decision has been taken to award a 1 year contract to Wilks, Head and Eve (WHE).

Reasons:

• WHE offers the cheapest solution on the framework.

• WHE are also providing a provision for West Suffolk, this ensures consistency for the NNDR rating pool.