Most people would be prepared to pay more in council tax or one-off voluntary levies to fund particular local services, a new poll has revealed today.

The survey, conducted for think tank Localis, found most people would pay extra council tax to fund public health, fire, police, adult social care and children’s social care.

However, the report - Monetising Goodwill - said the Government should scrap the current council tax referendums in order to monetise on this goodwill.

Jonathan Werran, interim chief executive of Localis said: 'Councils need greater fiscal flexibilities through the Government either raising precept caps significantly or by outright abolishing laws for triggering council tax referendums.

'But for their part residents deserve a right to choose by voting on spending packages funded by hikes in council tax charges, as well as a say in how extra funds raised by voluntary levies should be allocated to community groups delivering local services.'

Residents in the East Midlands were the most willing to make bigger tax contributions, according to the survey.

ichard Harries, director of the Power to Change Research Institute, said: 'As well as freeing local authorities to set tax at a level they think best meets local needs, today’s report highlights the way councils can work with the thousands of community businesses across England who are taking on everything from libraries to swimming pools into their own hands and making things better from the bottom up.'