Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019

Power to limit annual rate on valuation

6. (1) The Minister may give a direction in writing to a local authority before a budget meeting is held under section 103 of the Act of 2001 in relation to a local financial year specified in the direction, requiring that the annual rate on valuation determined by the local authority at that budget meeting be limited by reference to an amount, specified in the direction, and the local authority concerned shall comply with a direction given to it under this section.

(2) The Minister shall not give a direction under this section without first obtaining the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

(3) The Minister may by direction in writing amend or revoke a direction under this section (including a direction under this subsection).

(4) Where a direction under this section is not complied with by the local authority concerned, the determination of the annual rate on valuation under section 3 shall not be invalidated but such determination shall have effect as if the amount specified in the direction were substituted for the annual rate on valuation so determined.

(5) The chief executive of a local authority shall—

(a) before the adoption by the local authority of the draft local authority budget relating to the local financial year specified in a direction under this section, prepare for the authority a statement indicating the effect of the direction on the draft local authority budget,

(b) in case a direction under this section is not complied with, as soon as may be certify in writing to the Minister the extent by which any limit specified in the direction is exceeded, and

(c) where the provisions of subsection (4) apply, as soon may be amend the relevant budget adopted by the authority so as to make it consistent with the direction (which amendment the chief executive is hereby authorised to make).