The content of this Publication Scheme was prepared with the agreement of members of the Scottish Assessors' Association after full consultation.
The classes of information identified in the Scheme have been arrived at based on the knowledge of the types of questions and enquiries made of Assessors over a number of years, though no specific public consultation has yet taken place.
As a matter of routine, consideration will be given to any views expressed by members of the public as to the contents of the Scheme, which will be the subject of periodic review.
Under the terms of the existing legislation, it is not believed that there is a legal requirement for Assessors to publish information associated with Electoral Registration as the appointment of the Electoral Registration Officer is an appointment of the Council and not necessarily of a Joint Board.
However, the view of Assessors is that although there may be duplication of information provided by Local Authorities and Assessors it is in the public interest to provide guidance within the Assessors Schemes. It should be noted that the legislation providing for Electoral Registration contains specific limitations on the ways in which the Electoral Register may be displayed, provided and used.
As explained earlier, either Councils or Joint Boards appoint Assessors. In the case of Valuation Joint Boards there may be a great deal of duplication as the Boards' function is to appoint and provide sufficient support for the Assessor to carry out his Statutory duties. The scheme for Assessors will, therefore, provide details related to those functions that the Assessor is responsible for. The costs of providing the service, together with relevant policies of Valuation Joint Boards, will be found in the schemes published by the Valuation Joint Boards.
Reference has already been made to the role of the Scottish Assessors' Association and although both Assessors and Valuation Joint Boards are covered by the terms of the Act, there is no Statutory obligation for the Association to produce a Publication Scheme. To assist with the public's understanding of Assessors' and Electoral Registration Officers' functions, it is felt that some information produced by the Scottish Assessors' Association should be included. Where the information originates from the Scottish Assessors' Association it will be clearly marked.
An initial audit of information held by Assessors has been undertaken.
