TNAG-1724-FCO40-2437-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 263

6.

Assessment of rateable value

Hon Mrs Pauline Ng IP

Mrs. NG asked (in Cantonese):

Question:

Question No.

Will Government inform the Council of the number of successful objection cases to the assessments of rateable value in the past three years and whether guidelines are issued to officers in the Rating and Valuation Department for applying the statutory criteria for the assessment of rateable value? what actions have been taken to ensure consistency in the application of these guidelines?

If so,

REPLY BY THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL : WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 1988-

FINANCIAL SECRETARY:

Sir,

to

l.c.

Over the past three years (January 1985

December 1987), the Rating and Valuation Department has

received 30,195 objections to new and existing

assessments, most of which have now been processed.

As a

result of these objections, the rateable values of 7,026

premises were reduced by the Commissioner of Rating and

Valuation and a further four by the Lands Tribunal

following appeals.

The Rating and Valuation Department has issued

comprehensive instructions to staff which explain the

principles of assessing rateable values, the procedural

steps to be followed and the responsibility and authority

of the staff involved in the assessment process.

Valuations prepared by junior staff are approved by senior

officers while spot checks are carried out by senior

professional and directorate staff to ensure that the

instructions are followed and the assessments are correct.