Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Rejected
Devolution of council tax powers enhances democratic engagement by residents.
Conclusion
Council tax is one of the main interactions with local government that residents will have. Giving councils more power over, and therefore more responsibility for, setting council tax will improve democratic engagement by residents. (Conclusion, Paragraph 157)
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects the implied recommendation to devolve full responsibility for setting council tax to individual councils, stating that council tax is already localized with authorities having powers over setting levels and administering the tax.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
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.