COUNCIL TAX

Scrap council tax referendum limits, says DCN

District councils should have the powers to increase council tax referendum limits to at least 10% as a first step to scrapping them altogether, district council chiefs say.

District councils should have the powers to increase council tax referendum limits to at least 10% as a first step to scrapping them altogether, district council chiefs say.

The District Council Network (DCN) has published a new prospectus setting out how a partnership between the new Government and district councils can help transform local places.

One of its main asks is that councils be given greater freedoms and flexibilities to raise income and support themselves.

The prospectus urges the next government to empower councils to increase fees to recover the full cost of planning and licensing services.

It also calls for local housing authorities to be allowed to retain all the extra income from the council tax supplement on second homes.

The network is also asking the next government to give councils more local control of business taxes and increase business rates retention to 75% of receipts.

COUNCIL TAX

Ombudsman calls for more powers

By Martin Ford | 21 November 2024

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has called for it to be granted further powers to close ‘accountability gaps’.

COUNCIL TAX

Call for courage over failing council finances

By By Martin Ford | 21 November 2024

‘Drastic action’ from the Government is required to shore-up councils’ finances amid multiple crises, a report published today has urged.

COUNCIL TAX

Government will 'not hesitate' to intervene in planning

By Martin Ford | 20 November 2024

The Government will ‘not hesitate’ to take an interventionist approach to local government in planning matters, a minister has said.

COUNCIL TAX

The Government should provide certainty and clarity over financial reforms

By By Cllr Louise Gittins | 19 November 2024

Looking ahead to next spring’s Spending Review, it is critical the Government provides a significant and sustained increase in overall funding for local gove...

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