Title

COUNCIL TAX

Westminster proposes 'voluntary' council tax scheme

Westminster City Council has proposed to freeze council tax and instead invite those in the most expensive properties to pay a voluntary contribution after a consultation found ‘strong support’ for the idea.

Westminster City Council has proposed to freeze council tax and instead invite those in the most expensive properties to pay a voluntary contribution after a consultation found ‘strong support' for the idea.

The council will ask residents in the most expensive properties if they will consider voluntarily paying double the amount they would normally contribute to Westminster's share of the council tax.

For 2018/19 this is £833 for Band H properties, which excludes the Greater London Authority element. 

The proposal will be put to a full meeting of the council after a survey of residents in the highest council tax band was carried out in December.

More than 400 out of 904 respondents responded positively.

Council leader Nickie Aiken said this reflected the ‘kind and generous spirit of Westminster residents'.

The cash will go towards youth clubs, helping the homeless and tackling loneliness.

Cllr Aiken said: ‘We remain determined to help those on lowest incomes by freezing their council tax.

'We are proud of having the lowest council tax in the country while maintaining high quality services.

‘The law does not allow us to raise council tax for just one band.

‘The voluntary Westminster community contribution offers a fair way for those who want to contribute more to do so.'

COUNCIL TAX

Reeves urged to raise higher council tax bands

By Dan Peters | 14 November 2025

Chancellor Rachel Reeves should increase rates on higher council tax bands to raise just under £4bn in her Budget later this month, an influential think-tank...

COUNCIL TAX

Government proposes tougher sanctions in standards reform

By Dan Peters | 11 November 2025

Councillors and mayors who repeatedly break the rules or commit serious misconduct will face tougher sanctions under proposals published today to clean up lo...

COUNCIL TAX

West and North Northamptonshire deserve equivalent debt forgiveness to Surrey

By Cllr Mark Arnull | 06 November 2025

Cllr Mark Arnull explains why the Government must extend equivalent debt forgiveness to West and North Northamptonshire as offered to Surrey, and ensure fair...

COUNCIL TAX

Putting the sector in the Budget driving seat: The Budget councils deserve

By Simon Christian | 06 November 2025

Simon Christian says that while a Budget that reflects councils’ responsibilities and the urgency of the challenges ahead is vitally needed, this must be mat...

Popular articles by William Eichler