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 further 12 month contract has been awarded to Wilks, Head and Eve through a direct award via ESPO framework 2700-22 Estates Management, Professional Services. The total cost is £19k for the year and is split as follows:

·         Babergh District Council - £6k

·         Ipswich Borough Council - £7k  

·         Mid Suffolk District Council - £6k

The decision has been taken to award a 1 year contract for the following reasons

·         Remaining with the same provider for the life of the 2017 rating list ensures consistency each year with the appeals provision due to the same methodology being used.

·         WHE are also providing a provision for West and East Suffolk, again this ensures consistency for the NNDR rating pool.

·         A new rating list will commence from 1/4/2023, at which point the requirements for an appeals provision can be reviewed.