Schedule 1
Business Rate Supplements Bill
4:00 pm
Philip Dunne (Whip, Whips; Ludlow, Conservative)
I support the amendment tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst, along with myself and other Conservative Committee members.
During the evidence sessions, I was struck by the fact that, at the outset, the Minister indicated that he was keen to listen to representations and willing to take on board those that appeared to make a positive contribution to improve the Bill. It is in that context that I support the amendment.
One of the factors that has led to the success of business improvement districts is the active engagement of those who are taxed in the implementation of the measure for which the tax has been raised locally. One of the major drawbacks of the Bill is that there is no mechanism for the businesses that consent through ballot to be charged in this way to have some involvement in the delivery of the project. It is not just about those businesses being a voice on a decision-making body. They also feel that they can help to ensure that the project will be delivered on time and on budget. That is what businesses do, or seek to do, day in, day out, when managing their activities. That is also what the Government seek to do when introducing measures—particularly large infrastructure projects—although I regret to say that Governments of any hue are not perhaps as successful in achieving the delivery of major infrastructure projects on time and on budget.
It would be interesting if the Minister could, from his ministerial experience, mention any projects of such a scale that have come in on time and on budget without the involvement of significant figures from the business world to help push them through. That is not to cast aspersions on the quality of either the ministerial team or its civil servants, who are responsible for implementation, but the harsh fact is that they are, by definition, less experienced in delivering major projects than the private sector. That is why this matter is important and why I am pleased that my hon. Friend has moved an amendment that would enable consideration to be given to allowing business a voice at the table and, thereby, allowing a role for them in ensuring the delivery of the project. They do not need to take the lead role, but their advice will be available if they have a seat at the table, and one would hope that that would help achieve the objectives of the levying authority that has succeeded in securing the charge.
Now the Minister is in his place, I shall repeat what I said at the beginning. He said graciously in the evidence sessions that he would be willing to listen to representations made from outside bodies as well as Opposition Committee members. I hope that he will take on board the intent behind the amendment. Although it might not be as skilfully drafted as he might wish—I am sure that my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst would accept revisions or alternatives—we would like to hear the Minister’s response to the intent behind the proposal.