VOA 2015
Since taking on the role the chief executive has brought across a number of staff from HMRC to assist her with her current plan known as VOA 2015.
VOA 2015 is a continuation of the search for cost savings by staff reductions (staff numbers reduced by 300 in the year 2009-10), introduction of new technology and office closures. This plan has been amended to take into account the additional 20% cost cuts required by the government. To meet these cuts, as in previous years, the VOA is expecting to reduce staffing by around 150 this year from early retirement or voluntary redundancies. Having already closed the Basingstoke office in April 2011 the CEO then announced in March and May closure of the VOA offices at Alnwick, Aylesbury, Bedford, Derby, Grimsby, Harrogate, Kidderminster, Swindon and Tunbridge Wells. All these offices will be shut by March 2012. It is expected that in the years ahead further local offices will be closed and that there will be around 55-60 offices compared to the 82 offices at 31 March 2010.
The CEO is also to abolish the current 'group' structure and its associated Group Valuation Officer this autumn organising staff by function into business streams rather than by location. The non-domestic stream will form a regional structure of about 7 units plus one unit for Wales and the Council Tax will be 4 units. This is compared to the current structure of 21 groups. The specialist rating units will also be slimmed down with much of their work passing to the regional business streams. The senior management structure will also be revised.
There are no changes planned to DV Services.
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