- Think tank calls for Smith Commission-style approach
- Cross-party agreement is the only way forward, says Enlighten
Enlighten, the independent public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services, today calls for a Smith Commission-style body to agree on reforms to Council Tax during the next Scottish Parliamentary term.
In its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation ‘The Future of Council Tax in Scotland’, which closes this week, Enlighten says:
- Council Tax is currently a local tax in name only, with the operation, bands and reliefs all set centrally
- Councils need far greater ability to rely on their own revenue-raising streams, not just their block grant allocation
- Local authorities should be able to devise their own local tax system, with full control over bands, rates, exemptions and the base to reflect their differing circumstances and priorities. This could mean differing forms of tax used in different areas, but they would be true local taxes and accountable to local politicians.
Chris Deerin, Director of Enlighten, said:
“How many times have we been here before? How many parties have promised to reform Council Tax but turned the other way when it’s time for action to match words?
“Such impotence can only negatively impact the public’s view of Holyrood and Scotland’s ability to deliver the long-term change our communities need.
“This persistent failure to deliver is now a collective political humiliation. It cannot go on. It’s time, now, for a Smith Commission-style body to agree on a reformed system of local taxation, which recognises local diversity, local autonomy and local responsibility.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- The submission can be read here.
- Enlighten is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services. Enlighten is independent of political parties and any other organisations. It is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations. Its Director is Chris Deerin and Alison Payne is the Research Director. Both work closely with the Trustee Board, chaired by Lord McConnell, which meets regularly to review the research and policy programme.
- For Enlighten media contact Andy Maciver, [email protected], 07855 261 244