Thomas Bridge 16 December 2014

Pickles under pressure on 1% council tax threshold push

Eric Pickles is facing pressure from high level Liberal Democrats and Conservative colleagues to ditch a potential 1% referendum cap on council tax rises.

LocalGov understands Conservatives are currently split on whether to lower the threshold, with some joining their Liberal Democrat colleagues in opposing the communities secretary’s belief that it should fall below the current 2% level.

As it currently stands, councils are required to take any planned council tax rise of 2% or more out to a local vote. It is thought that a 1% threshold would result in even the smallest rise in local levies going to a referendum.

A letter sent by chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander to leaders of the Local Government Association Conservative and Labour groups and seen by LocalGov warns that lowering the threshold would put ‘an unnecessary further constraint’ on town halls and hit local services.

‘The Liberal Democrats have long believed in devolving power to the most local level, on the principle that the best decisions tend to be made by those closest to the people those decisions effect. It is for this reason, that the Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government will not support proposals to lower the referendum threshold,’ Alexander wrote.

‘Because of the state of the public finances, we are having to ask a lot of local authorities, who, by and large, are rising to the challenge of cutting expenditure while protecting important public services. Lowering the threshold will put unnecessary further pressure on local authorities and the much needed services they provide.

‘While I would strongly argue for local authorities to protect taxpayers from rises in council tax, nevertheless this is a choice that should rightly be made by local authorities and not be imposed centrally.

‘While Conservative and Labour Councils have been quick to increase Council Tax, Lib Dems have not. In the end, these councils should be accountable to their electorates. It is not for central government to impose such constraints,’ he added.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Interim Head of Waste Management

Essex County Council
Up to £650.0000 per day + Umbrella
Interim Head of Waste ManagementTemporary, Full TimePay Rate
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planning Policy Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£44,355 - £53,120 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planning Policy Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Occupational Therapist

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£35,676 - £42,811 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire / Multiple
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Personal Advisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,766- £47,830 per annum
Personal Advisor£37,766- £47,830 ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Social Worker (Hospital Team)

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£45,831 - £50,414 per annum, plus an annual retention bonus of £3,000 subject to eligibility.
We have exciting opportunities for Senior Social Workers to join the Hospital Discharge Team! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Linkedin Banner