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Two members of the board of Valuation Tribunal service re-appointed

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (057) issued by The Government News Network on 26 March 2007

Irene Robinson and Michael Tildesley have been reappointed as members of the Valuation Tribunal Service (VTS) for a period of 3 years from 1 April 2007, Local Government Minister Phil Woolas has announced.

Commenting on the appointments Phil Woolas said:

"I am delighted to announce that Irene Robinson and Michael Tildesley have been reappointed as members of the Valuation Tribunal Service.

Irene Robinson has brought with her sound knowledge in finance management that will continue to enhance the work of the VTS Audit Committee and help solidify the VTS' overall financial management.

Michael Tildesley, who also serves as the president of Leicestershire Valuation Tribunal and sits as a part-time legal chair for the Tax and Residential Property Tribunals, has brought in not only his years of experience as a tribunal president but also his sound knowledge in matters of law.

Both of these reappointments will continue to help take forward the work of the VTS in the coming years."

The Valuation Tribunal Service was established in April 2004 to provide support and guidance to the valuation tribunals in England and to advise Ministers on matters relating to valuation tribunals. It promotes best practice and provides the services required for the operation of the valuation tribunals, for example, accommodation and training for members and employees. Valuation Tribunals hear appeals against valuations for business rates and valuations and liability for council tax.

Notes for Editors

The Board Members of the Valuation Tribunal Service have been appointed in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.

All members of the board will receive £267 per day for the time they devote to the VTS. The members are expected to give a minimum of 15 days per year to their role at the VTS.

Irene Robinson - Member of the Valuation Tribunal Service
Irene Robinson was first appointed to the VTS Board, following open competition from external applicants, on 1 April 2004 and has served 3 years (one term) successfully. As an independent member, Irene brings her experience as a Chartered Accountant to the Board, most notably in her work as Chair of the VTS Audit Committee.

Michael Tildesley - Member of the Valuation Tribunal Service
Michael Tildesley was first appointed to the VTS Board, following open competition from external applicants and serving valuation tribunal chairman/presidents, on 1 April 2004 and has served 3 years (one term) successfully. As well as bringing his expertise and experience as a valuation tribunal president (Michael has been the president of the Leicestershire valuation tribunal since May 2003) Michael is also a qualified solicitor. He retired as chief executive to Leicestershire Justices on 39 March 2005 and now sits as a part-time lawyer Chair in the Tax and Residential Property Tribunals. Michael, therefore, possesses knowledge of courts, tribunals and administrative law.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. The appointees have declared that they are not engaged in political activity.

The Local Government Act 2003 requires that a majority of the Members (including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman) of the Valuation Tribunal Service Board are serving Presidents or Chairmen of Valuation Tribunals. The Members of the Valuation Tribunal Service Board are:

Anne Galbraith OBE - Chairman - appointed until March 2009

Paul Wood OBE - Deputy Chair/President of South Yorkshire Tribunal
- appointed until March 2008
Ted Gunby - Member- appointed until March 2008

Peter Lawton - Member - President of Suffolk Tribunal - appointed until March 2008

Irene Robinson - Member- appointed until March 2010

Michael Tildesley OBE - Member - President of Leicestershire Tribunal-
appointed until March 2010

Ronald Barham SBStJ -Member - Chairman of Lancashire Tribunal -
appointed until March 2009

Irene Robinson is appointed by the Lord Chancellor as a Magistrate, which is a voluntary position. Michael Tildesley is appointed by the Lord Chancellor to the Finance and Tax Tribunal as well as the Residential Property Tribunal. His daily fee in respect of this is £520 and £392 respectively.

Background

The Valuation Tribunal Service was established on 1 April 2004 as a non-departmental public body under the Local Government Act 2003. Its remit is to establish a cohesive national structure for the Service within which policies on staff terms and conditions, training, information technology and accommodation are applied consistently. It also advises valuation tribunals on procedural issues, spreading best practice and improving customer service delivery.

Valuation Tribunals in England hear appeals concerning local taxation matters. The majority of appeals concern the correct valuation of (1) commercial properties for non-domestic rating purposes and (2) domestic dwellings for council tax purposes. However the jurisdiction of the tribunals does extend into some other local taxation issues, including the liability of persons to council tax and the completion of buildings for local taxation purposes. There are currently 56 separate tribunals in England. Each tribunal has a president, a number of chairmen and members. These are lay members advised by professional staff (not dissimilar to Magistrates).

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