New Petitions

Petition PE785, which is also from Damian Pavillard, calls on the Parliament to take the necessary steps to ensure that individuals who regard the removal of any discount received under a council tax bill to be unfair or unjustified are given the right to appeal to an independent tribunal that will have the power to consider retrospective cases.Independent tribunals to which individuals can appeal local authority decisions on council tax bills already exist. Individuals can appeal in the first instance to the local authority concerned and thereafter to the local valuation appeal committee. In the publication "Council tax in Scotland—how to appeal" the Executive states:"Valuation appeal committees … are independent tribunals whose members are experienced in hearing appeals. The committee's decision is final subject to an appeal to the Court of Session on a point of law only. If a valuation appeal committee upholds your appeal in respect of the valuation list or completion notices the valuation list will be altered and your bill amended as appropriate. If your appeal in respect of action taken by the levying authority is upheld your bill will be amended as appropriate. Penalties imposed may be set aside."Complaints about maladministration can be made to the Scottish public services ombudsman, although that does not guarantee any financial recompense. On the basis of that information, how do members wish to address the petition?

The petition is about the creation of a right of appeal, but that right already exists. Mr Pavillard might not have been aware of his right of appeal—perhaps we should make him aware of it.

Are members happy for us to write back to the petitioner and advise him of his rights?Members indicated agreement.

Is it agreed that we should close the petition, as there is nothing further that we can do in respect of it?Members indicated agreement.

We will take a five-minute break.