Commercial rates form an important element of the funding of all local authorities. However, the legislative basis for the levying of rates consists of over 20 separate pieces of legislation, some dating back to the 19th century.
My Department developed legislative proposals to modernise and consolidate the legislation governing commercial rates into a single enactment and, in this regard, the Government last year approved the drafting of a Commercial Rates Bill. The Bill is included in the Government's priority legislation for publication by Summer 2018 and, in this regard, it is currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting, with a view to it being published later this month.