Council Tax
EXCLUSIVE: No bail outs for commercial investments
Plans to bail out councils struggling with their finances could vary between authorities - but they will not cover commercial investments, The MJ understands.
Road to disaster?
With a huge proportion of income vanishing almost overnight, there is the very real possibility that every council in Yorkshire will have to issue s114 notices, says Cllr Judith Blake.
Difficult questions lie ahead for Government and the sector
Graeme McDonald says we have some important decisions to make and a challenging new future to plan for. Will Westminster fulfil its promises and cover the full cost of the crisis for local councils?
Finance chiefs say Government could underwrite tax losses for councils
The Government could protect councils from financial collapse by underwriting the potential loss of council tax and business rates, finance chiefs have claimed.
Voluntary council tax contributions help to fight COVID-19’s impact
Rachael Robathan explains how the community contribution raised from Westminster’s top-rate band H council taxpayers is helping local organisations manage the COVID-19 pandemic
IFS: Council tax ripe for reform in Wales
Council tax in Wales is ‘ripe for reform’ with bills now based on property values from 17 years ago, a think-tank has said.
Districts warn of council tax and business rates hit
Some district councils are forecasting an overall reduction of 10% in council tax and business rate payments, The MJ understands.
Debt collection needs reform, says think tank
Local government should follow the lead of the private sector when it comes to debt collection, the latest report from the Centre for Social Justice think tank has claimed.
Don't lose the increased recognition due to a failure to fund services
It would be a tragedy for local government if an increased recognition of its role in keeping society functioning in the toughest of circumstances is quickly lost by a failure to properly fund these very services in the future, argues Paul O'Brien.
Tax needs a 'fundamental overhaul', says IfG
A combination of higher public spending due to coronavirus and rising social care costs means the tax system is in need of a fundamental overhaul, says a report from the Institute for Government (IfG).
Counties warn against a blanket council tax deferral scheme
County councils have warned that a blanket council tax deferral scheme could create significant financial problems for local government.
We will be here for our residents every step of the way
David Renard outlines how Swindon BC’s rapid response to the public health emergency includes a package of measures to support both residents and businesses.
Our Ofsted journey to outstanding
Cllr Shaun Davies explains how Telford & Wrekin Council’s Ofsted rating for children’s services leaped from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘outstanding’ due to an innovative approach to investment and a focus on workforce and good practice.
Council tax reform must be part of the business rates review
Like it or not, once the review of business rates is under way, it is hard not to see council tax reform following in its wake, says Michael Burton.
Local government needs to ‘hold the ring’ on pooled public services’ budgets
Shadow minister for local government Jim McMahon tells Heather Jameson it was irresponsible that the Budget did not mention adult social care – and he says we need an ‘honest assessment’ of councils’ and public services’ funding needs.
Government should grasp the council tax nettle
Council tax needs to be revalued and should be reformed – and this government has both the ‘levelling-up’ mandate and narrative, says David Phillips.
Winners and losers under a reformed council tax
A new study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says revaluation of the £31bn council tax system is long overdue and proposes ways it can be reformed, as Michael Burton reports.
Reforming council tax will help government level up
Reforming council tax will help the Government deliver its levelling up agenda for the Midlands and the North, according to a new study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenrick admits no science behind flooding threshold
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has admitted there is no science behind a threshold that determines whether councils receive cash to cope with flooding.
Council tax to rise by 3.7% on average
The average council tax bill is expected to increase by 3.7% in 2020/21, new analysis has revealed.
