The Minister also declared in this statement that "Where a council in need of exceptional financial support views additional council tax increases as critical to maintaining their financial sustainability, the government will continue to consider requests for bespoke referendum principles."
This is very concerning. Previously if Councils wanted to impose
an increase of more than 4.99% they were obliged to hold a
referendum of their residents. However, "bespoke referendum
principles", if agreed by Government, allow Councils to raise
Council Tax in excess of the 4.99% cap without a referendum. Given
that Keir Starmer, when in opposition last year, called for a
freeze on Council Tax, this would be a particularly egregious
burden on hard pressed residents and a complete betrayal of the
contract between the Council and the people they are paid to
serve.
On reaching 500 signatures a full council debate will be held.
This ePetition runs from 18/12/2024 to 23/01/2025.
3 people have signed this ePetition.