Explanatory note

Under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 6 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988, the Secretary of State may by order provide in the case of non-domestic hereditaments to be shown in the central rating lists for England and Wales that the normal rules of valuation for rating contained in paragraphs 2 to 2B of that Schedule shall not apply, and instead their rateable value shall be such as is specified in the order or determined in accordance with prescribed rules.

Gas hereditaments occupied (or, if unoccupied, owned) by British Gas plc are required to be shown in the central rating lists compiled on 1st April 1995 by virtue of the Central Rating Lists Regulations 1994. This Order provides that paragraphs 2 to 2B are not to apply to such hereditaments.

For the year beginning on 1st April 1995 £483,887,500 is specified as the rateable value of gas hereditaments situated in England and £29,373,300 is specified as the rateable value of gas hereditaments situated in Wales. In subsequent years these amounts are to be recalculated according to the standard formula which takes account of changes in the length of gas pipe-lines.

Article 4(1) revokes with effect from 1st April 1995 the British Gas plc (Rateable Values) Order 1989. These provisions shall continue to have effect for the purposes mentioned in article 4(2).