Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Rejected
New Burdens doctrine insufficient to prevent local government unfunded mandates
Conclusion
The New Burdens doctrine, which requires government departments to ensure any new responsibilities for local authorities are fully costed and funded, is a vitally important part of government financing but is not robust enough to prevent unfunded mandates. (Conclusion, Paragraph 75)
Government Response Summary
The Government does not accept the recommendation to devolve full responsibility for setting council tax to individual councils at this time, citing existing local authority control over tax levels and discretionary powers.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
64. The Government does not accept the recommendation to devolve full responsibility for setting council tax to individual councils at this time. Council tax is already a localised tax – local authorities are responsible for setting tax levels, administering and collecting the tax, and have discretionary powers over discounts, premiums and support for working age people.