Member

For years, Labour-run local authorities have charged more and delivered less, and we do not want this to happen across the country when devolution is imposed on local people. That is why we have tabled new clause 2, which makes a simple and entirely reasonable proposition: if combined authorities possess the power to levy a council tax precept, they should be subject to the same referendum principles and the same constraints that apply to the vast majority of county and unitary councils. The new clause would ensure that when the Secretary of State determines categories of local authorities for the purposes of council tax excessiveness, mayoral combined authorities and combined county authorities form a single, clearly defined category. That would provide clarity for Government, consistency for local leaders and, most importantly, transparency for the taxpayer.