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‘Outdated’ and ‘regressive’ council tax set for reform under Welsh Government-Plaid Cymru plan

11 Jul 2022 5 minute read
All pictures by PA, apart from top-right which is by Plaid Cymru.

The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru have set forth plans to reform the “outdated” and “regressive” council tax system.

Proposals include a revaluation of all 1.5 million properties in Wales to ensure valuations are up-to-date and people are paying the appropriate amount, they said.

The Welsh Government said that under the plans, the onus for paying the tax will be shifted off the shoulder of less affluent people and onto those who can afford it.

The reforms, which are part of the Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, would “ensure a more progressive approach to supporting the local services which council tax helps pay for, including schools, social care provision, policing, fire and rescue services, and road infrastructure,” the Welsh Government said.

An initial consultation on the reforms has opened today and is open for 12 weeks.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, added: “Council tax pays for essential local services we all rely on, but the way it is currently charged has a disproportionate impact on less affluent people.

“These reforms will bring the council tax system up to date while making it fairer, meaning council tax is less of a worry for people with tighter household budgets. The reforms are not intended to raise more revenue from council taxpayers overall as, while some people could pay more, many others would pay less, and we will consider the need for transitional arrangements for any changes.

“We recognise this is a significant exercise and that we have a great deal of work to do before any changes can be introduced. These proposals are at an early stage so I encourage people to have their say through the consultation.”

Council tax bands

Council tax pays for around a fifth of spending by councils, but the current system is nearly twenty years out of date. Homes in the highest tax band can be worth more than nine times the value of homes in the bottom band, yet only pay three and a half times more council tax.

The Welsh Government said that the plan launched today is for a future system which rebalances the tax burden on households, funds services that benefit everyone, and has regular updates to keep the tax fair.

The last revaluation of properties in Wales was in 2003. While the value of homes has increased significantly since then, the system would remain a relative one, so increasing property values would not necessarily lead to increasing council tax.

Plaid Cymru Designated Member Cefin Campbell said: “Council tax is one of the most outdated and regressive forms of taxation which places a heavier burden on some of our lower income households, and disproportionately impacts poorer areas of Wales. It is time to make it fairer and the proposals we have jointly agreed offer a chance to do just that.

“These proposals are the first step in changing the council tax system which could make a real difference, by making the system fairer and more progressive while still supporting the services delivered by local authorities.”

‘Hurt’

Responding to plans outlined by Labour and Plaid Cymru to launch a revaluation of council tax across Wales, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have stated the proposals don’t go far enough and skirt around reform rather than implementing the systemic change needed.

Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “We currently have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make real changes to council tax in Wales.

“Despite both Plaid Cymru and Labour previously pledging to work towards a land value tax to replace the outdated council tax system, these proposals don’t seem to bring us any closer to the systemic changes needed.

“Reforms must go beyond a simple revaluation and the changing of tax bands.

“I am also seriously concerned that should re-evaluation go-ahead during a period of extremely inflated property prices such as the one we are experiencing now, these proposals could hurt the very people they are designed to help.”

‘Careful’

WLGA Leader, Cllr Andrew Morgan said that council tax was an important source of funding for all our local services from schools and care services, through to waste collection and transport.

“While it accounts for around 20% of everything councils spend, it is nevertheless significant, and it is vital that this local tax is kept up to date and fair,” he said.

“A tax that is based on property values that are nearly 20 years out of date cannot be fair and that must be addressed. The system must be made fair across the range of household incomes.

“Any proposal will have to be carefully considered given the quirks of the local housing market, and we will work with ministers to ensure that we can deliver this important reform.”


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Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

Dead right Phil, I was only wondering that today…

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Mine goes up a fiver a month every year and so far never down…

Tim
Tim
2 years ago

The number of Senedd seats is set to rise from 60 to 96 at the next election. The average number of seats in EU countries with populations of between 1 and 3 million is 124. Seems reasonable to me.

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Quite apart from who collects it, where it’s eventually spent and how many seats are in the governing body the fact remains that it’s sure to increase. An already cash-strapped public will be forced to dig deeper into their pockets.
I still maintain that we’re over governed. They should strip away or merge City and County Councils and the Senedd should take over their duties.

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Tim

In that case I’m pretty glad that I don’t live in an EU country….

Sioned
Sioned
2 years ago

You do realise that council tax is collected by councils not the Welsh Government, right?

But anyways I think high taxes are a good thing if they are being used well. I also think council tax should just be a subsection of all other personal taxes.

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Sioned

Indeed I do. My bank statement reminds me for 10 months of the year!

defaid
defaid
2 years ago
Reply to  Sioned

Without wishing to support either side of the argument — after all, nobody likes tax increases — what councils gain by way of council tax will probably be matched by a reduction in what the government gives to councils. Expect then to see a knock-on effect in Westminster grants to the WG…

Whatever the background maths, taxes will increase. It’s one of life’s two certainties.

Last edited 2 years ago by defaid
defaid
defaid
2 years ago

A tax proportional to the value of a dwelling is a bit of a double-edged sword in Wales. A general rise in values shouldn’t shift a tax payer from one band into another but there are areas where property prices have been inflated out of all proportion. We all know why and we’re all aware of the effect it’s having on local communities. If bands are set nationally then locals who’ve already been priced out of the market may end up also having to pay tax over the odds as a result of the distortion of that market. My worry… Read more »

Christian
Christian
2 years ago
Reply to  defaid

Absolutely agree. I recently moved to an area, was gazumped. Then prices went up. Couldn’t afford to now buy in my area. Child had to be moved. New area now, prices went up there too. Now looking forward to higher council taxes to boot. The English border, the gift that keeps on giving.

Hogyn y Gogledd
Hogyn y Gogledd
2 years ago

Tax should be related to income, not to the size of house you live in.

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago

I agree- someone with hundreds of thousands in the Bank and earning a high wage but living in a lower tax Band than someone with no savings but living In a higher council Band will pay more. The whole idea of relating the amount of Council Tax you pay to the value of your property is crazy and outdated. It doesn’t take account at all of income and size of family – the value of your property shouldn’t assume that you are wealthy and can afford to pay more.

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
2 years ago

What’s really needed isn’t tinkering with council tax but a recognition that in a country the size of Wales, 22 local authorities is a nonsense.
Those who argue against expanding the Senedd might usefully consider that this is by far the most important issue – and the most expensive!

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago

Time to introduce a local income tax in Wales. Its more progressive than either the council tax or the old rates system – and its easier to collect!

Confused
Confused
2 years ago

Bring back poll tax so everyone pays the same amount..

Roderich Heier
Roderich Heier
2 years ago
Reply to  Confused

The poll tax was a good idea in principle, that every adult should make a contribution for the running of local services. Unfortunately it fell down in practise because it took no account of people’s ability to pay.

Confused
Confused
2 years ago
Reply to  Roderich Heier

Fair enough. Nice to have a mature answer for a change.

Phil
Phil
2 years ago
Reply to  Roderich Heier

…. nor the ability to ‘disappear’ from the register of electors!

Hogyn y Gogledd
Hogyn y Gogledd
2 years ago
Reply to  Phil

You do know that the word “poll” in this context means “head” and not “election”, I suppose?

Phil
Phil
2 years ago

Nine people so far who seem to be relishing the opportunity to pay more tax.

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