Commenting on today’s ruling by the Lands Valuation Appeal Court, a division of the Court of Session, to uphold an appeal by the Grampian (Rates) Assessor that the local economic downturn caused the 2014 oil price collapse did not constitute a material change of circumstances, James Bream, director of research and policy at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said:
“This is an extremely disappointing ruling and one which organisations in the North-east will struggle to comprehend given the very real and devastating impact the oil and gas downturn had on their businesses.
“It is hard to understand how what we have faced is not a material change in circumstances and frustrating that many of the issues raised have been left unanswered. There needs to be serious consideration given to legislative changes if the law does not see these circumstances as exceptional. We’ll consider the announcement further and are now formally calling for the revaluation to be brought forward to 2021, in line with the Chancellor’s Spring statement.”
James Bream, Research and Policy director, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce