Replace Council Tax

Speech by Proposed: David Whitcroft Seconded: Duncan Clark delivered to Surrey Heath Borough Council on Wed 19th Jul 2006

This Council notes that the Review of Local Government Finance by Sir Michael Lyons is currently collecting evidence, and therefore resolves to submit its views to him by the closing date of July 31st as follows:

(1) That the proportion of local authority expenditure covered by locally-determined taxation needs to be substantially increased to strengthen the capacity of the local democratic system to deliver public services in accordance with the expressed wishes of the local communities it serves;

(2) That the National Non Domestic Rate (the Business Rate) should be re-localised, with an appropriate equalisation mechanism, as a step towards freeing local government from the present excessive central government control, and to provide an incentive for local economic growth and investment;

(3) That the unfair Council Tax should be abolished, and replaced by a tax based on the ability to pay, and that the Council commends to the Review the introduction of a Local Income Tax as by far the best way to achieve that aim."