He will be looking at not only the rate poundage, but at the speeches of councillors.
It is because of the disgraceful withdrawal of rate support grant from those deprived areas that rate poundages are so high.
This is not a flaw in the system but a natural consequence of the poundage equalising system.
It is concerned with equalising the cost in rate poundage terms of equal variations in expenditure.
However, if the rate poundage is set nationally, as it is for the business rate, then that is untrue.
Where rate poundages are high, business will choose to locate elsewhere.
Total expenditure is taken into account in determining grant related poundages, multipliers, and, perhaps most importantly, the individual entitlements to grant of each local authority.
It is not the valuations that make any difference; it is the rate of poundage.
