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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