HUNDREDS of islanders attended a Treasury and Resources drop-in session yesterday to found out how changes in calculating property tax would affect them. Queues formed throughout the day as people sought clarity on whether they would be hit in the pocket as much as some had feared in the Guernsey Press last week.

Tax on rateable property is replacing tax on rateable value from 1 January.

Reg Avery, director of client services at Treasury and Resources and project director for the switch to the new type of tax, was joined in the Cambridge Room at Beau Sejour by Cadastre staff and representatives of Digimap in a bid to alleviate any concerns that property owners might have had.

Treasury member Jack Honeybill was also there and said the sessions were a vital tool.

‘It’s about clearing the myth when change has been proposed,’ he said.

The strong turnout had not surprised him and showed the importance of communicating effectively with the public.

‘It’s not surprised me personally. It may have surprised the team, but managing change anywhere is difficult when people have been used to something forever.’

Deputy Honeybill said most of the questions being asked concerned boundaries and discrepancies people felt at the level at which they were being assessed, which in many cases was down to out-buildings.

He said the whole purpose of the change to TRP, which was first identified by the former Advisory and Finance Committee six years ago, was to make the system work the same for everyone.

‘Regrettably properties have been holding wrong assessments for many years. They were assessed incorrectly in the first place and they haven’t had any work done in the meantime for the Cadastre to go round and to assess them again.’

David and Patricia Evans used the session to find out how much TRP would cost them. ‘To our surprise it is cheaper,’ said Mr Evans.

He welcomed the chance to speak to Treasury and Resources staff, but wanted more honesty from States members regarding tax and rate changes.

‘When politicians start talking about taxes, I would rather hear them say that they are doing so because they need the money rather than say we need to do this and that because they do it that way in the UK.

‘It might not sound popular to say that, but it’s necessary.’

Ivan Roberts also thought the drop-in session was useful. He wanted to find out how a conservatory, which was not finished in the aerial shots of his home, would affect his tax, which will go up by nearly £50.

‘In a way I’ve ended up coming today to give them more money, but I thought it was better to tell them about it now than for them to come to me about it in the future.

‘We do things these days by email, post and phone, but it’s nice to meet them face to face. I was here for 40 minutes waiting but it wasn’t too bad.’

* The drop-in sessions continue at Beau Sejour today from 10am until 6.30pm.