Chief Minister candidate Kirrie Jenkins has warned that any future rates reform must be developed alongside local authorities rather than imposed on them by government.
The issue was raised by Ramsey MHK Robert Cowell during the Chief Minister hustings, where both candidates were asked about the future of rates reform across the island.
Chris Thomas said he wanted to move quickly on legislation, arguing a Rates Amendment Bill was already prepared and could be brought before the House of Keys by November.
Move Quickly
He proposed bringing zero-rated properties back into the rating system and introducing a discount scheme for ratepayers, describing it as an opportunity for the new House to show it could “do something” rather than simply debate issues.
Thomas also suggested wider reforms could follow, including further work on ratable values and other elements of the rating system.
Jenkins said she supported change but favoured a more gradual approach.
Don’t Dictate
“I think bite-sized pieces is the way to do this,” she said, backing action on vacant properties and potential discount schemes while warning that wholesale reform would be “a step too far” for local authorities at present.
She argued that lessons should be learned from previous disputes between government and local authorities and said councils must be involved in shaping any future changes.
“I think there is scope for future rates reform but it needs to be done in a proportionate way and it needs to be done with local authorities on side, not dictating to them,” she said.
