Ellie Ames 14 November 2023

Wales consults on council tax reform

Wales consults on council tax reform image
Image: cktravels.com / Shutterstock.com

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on redesigning the country's council tax system.

It said it is looking to address the current ‘unfair’ system, which sees people in the lowest council tax bands paying more in relation to the value of their homes than those living in more expensive properties.

The Valuation Office Agency is also preparing to carry out the first revaluation of Wales' homes for 20 years.

The consultation includes three approaches: ‘minimal’, ‘modest’ and ‘expanded’ council tax reform.

Minimal reform would just involve revaluation, with the current nine tax bands and rates retained, while expanded reform would see changes to tax rates, an additional band added for the lowest value properties, and two more bands for properties valued at over £1.2m.

The Welsh Government said the 'expanded reform' proposal would be ‘a decisive move in the direction of fairness’.

The consultation also asks about pace of change, with 1 April 2025 the earliest date for the proposals to come into effect.

Finance and local government finance minister Rebecca Evans said: ‘Achieving a fairer council tax will be one of the single most beneficial actions this government can take towards making Wales a more equal nation.

‘The benefits will be felt in the pockets of many households.

‘This is not about raising more money from taxes and changes are not going to happen overnight. We see this very much as being a gradual process and that is why we are also asking for views on the pace of change.’

Welsh Local Government Association finance spokesperson Anthony Hunt said: 'We recognise the need to make the system fairer and less regressive but remain concerned around some of the timing implications with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

'We will make the case for transitional support to be available to those who face a significant change in property bandings.

'The Welsh Government must also maintain stability within the finance system. We shall study these proposals in detail and will work alongside local government colleagues to provide a response to the consultation in due course.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Educational Psychologist

Durham County Council
£47,688 - £57,954 Soulbury A 3-8 plus SPA points pro rata to hours worked
There are new full and part time posts available as a result of new investment in our Educational Psychology team. This is a fantastic role where you Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363
Exciting Leadership Opportunity Within Keeping Families Together – Team Leader at The Beacon Children’s Home (Seaham)  Are you ready to lead with hea Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Panel Administrator

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £26,403 - £28,598
An exciting new opportunity to join the panel team working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primary base will be Council Offices, Spennymoor. The r Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council
Linkedin Banner