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Consultation Zone

Current Consultations

Consultation on draft statutory guidance regarding the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.

This consultation is seeking views on guidance to be issued under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 to persons and bodies in Northern Ireland as to the operation of the Act and other matters relating to forced marriage.

Please see attached links to the consultation letter and draft guidance:

The consultation period ends on 22 December 2011.

Previous Consultations

Consultation on the Rating of Commercial Properties

The Department of Finance and Personnel has launched a consultation exercise, on 28 June, to seek views on changes to the rating of commercial properties.  This is aimed at rebalancing the rating system during a period of economic downturn through to recovery.

The consultation paper considers options and sets out the background to the proposals, as well as the initial findings from relevant impact assessments.

The views of interested individuals and organisations are sought on;

  • extending the reach of the small business rate relief scheme;
  • paying for this extension by introducing a levy on the largest/highest value retail properties;
  • allowing the use of window displays in empty shops for non-commercial purposes whilst preserving 50% empty property relief (or any exclusion); and
  • clarifying the legislation relating to valuation assumptions for the next revaluation in 2015.

Consultation closed on Tuesday 18 October 2011. Copies of the responses and and the final report are available via the Rating Review section.

Consultation on the Road Traffic (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Interest) Order (Northern Ireland)

This consultation prescribes the rate to be used for calculating the amount of interest which will be added when a refund is required to be made under the Graduated Fixed Penalties, Financial Penalty Deposit and Immobilisation Schemes. Please see attached links to the consultation letter and the draft order.

The Road Traffic (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Interest) Order (Northern Ireland) - Consultation Document (PDF 29KB)

Draft of the Road Traffic (Financial Penalty Deposit) (Interest) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010 (PDF 21KB)

The consultation period ended on 7th January 2011.

Review of Landlord (article 21) Rating Allowance

The consultation on the future levels of rating allowances paid under voluntary Article 21 landlord agreements was launched on 8 July 2010. Please see attached links to the consultation paper and Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA).

Review of Landlord (article 21) Rating Allowance consultation paper

Review of Landlord (article 21) Rating Allowance (IIA)

The consultation period will end on 28th October 2010.

Consultation on pleural plaques legislation

Please see the attached consultation by the Department of Finance and Personnel on the draft damages (Asbestos-related conditions) Bill (Northen Ireland) 2010.

Consultation on pleural plaques legislation (PDF 180KB)

The consultation period will end on 6th September 2010.

Consultations archive

For all previous consultations please visit the links to the archives below: