MORE TOWN HALLS DEFY GOVERNMENT WITH COUNCIL TAX INCREASES ... SO IS YOURS ABOUT TO RISE?

FIRST PUBLISHED BY:   THIS IS MONEY

REFUSING TO BUDGE

Councils are forcing through Council Tax rises despite a funding boost from Central Government that was supposed to help them freeze the local tax.  The number of councils in England that have confirmed they will raise Council Tax in defiance of a Government-ordered freeze has risen to 35. Councils have until the middle of March to set their Council Tax rates for the coming year and increasing numbers have confirmed they will take more from households.

Nine are proposing a hike of 3.5 per cent - the highest increase possible before councils must secure backing for the rise via a local referendum. Under rules introduced last year, any authority trying to push through a hike of more than 3.5 per cent must have it approved by voters. A rise at this level would add £42 to the average annual Council Tax bill of £1,200. The nine include Preston, Stockton-On-Tees, Darlington, Chesterfield, Middlesbrough, Leicester City and Huntingdonshire. Huntingdonshire District Council is the first Conservative council to choose the maximum amount.

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Households face Council Tax hikes of 3.5% as 'cynical' town halls avoid triggering vote Loopholes: Can you challenge your Council Tax band and cut your bill? Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has led criticism of the practice, accusing councilors of 'cynically' setting rises at levels just below the referendum trigger point. The majority of local authorities have chosen to freeze rates but some, like the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, are cutting rates.

Scarborough borough council and Taunton Deane borough council both previously proposed to raise Council Tax but have now publicly stated that they intend to freeze it.

It is the second year running that local authorities have been asked to freeze Council Tax. Last year almost every council observed the freeze. The coalition government raised funding to councils by 2.5 per cent to help them cope. Around 30 councils have yet to declare their intentions and have only a fortnight to do so.

READ WHAT: ERIC PICKLES ‘SECRETARY OF STATE’ SAYS ABOUT OVER-CHARGED COUNCIL TAX.


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