New GP surgeries costing councils millions in appealed rating valuations

Good for GPs and local health authorities (who receive refunds) bad for councils.

If this applies to EDDC, it, together with the £7m black hole which is soon to appear in EDDC’s council rent account must surely lead some councillors to wish that EDDC had invested in Knowle maintenance rather than allowing the building to deteriorate so they can build themselves new, expensive, offices in Honiton and massive refurbishment charges for offices in Exmouth.

“… According to Wychavon District Council, a number of GP surgeries had made successful appeals to the Valuation Office against the value given to their property in 2005 and 2010.

The council estimated that surgeries in its area alone would receive a £3.5m refund and £600,000 a year on an ongoing basis from this financial year.

Wychavon, the county council and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority are expected to be responsible for half of the total losses.

The district said it would have to pay the majority share which will total £1.4m and £250,000 a year ongoing. …”

http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24008:councils-in-plea-for-help-after-tribunal-ruling-on-gp-surgeries-and-business-rates&catid=58&Itemid=26