The principle conclusion to be drawn from the comprehensive survey undertaken by our sister title Municipal Year Book (see page 1) is that, as far as local government's political parties are concerned, the Lyons inquiry proposals are pretty well spot on, but will never be implemented. The online survey is the first to look at reaction to Lyons since the inquiry reported, and took place in the fortnight after its publication. Two-thirds of people who responded to the poll are councillors, of whom, just under one-half are Conservative, with the bulk of the rest being Labour and Liberal Democrat. The poll finds clear support for those elements that the Government rejected. For example, it backs a better balance of funding, with 71% supporting the idea of a fixed portion of income tax being allocated to local authorities. However, just over half reject the idea of a local income tax. The poll is less certain about revaluation, with half saying it should occur during this parliament, and half saying not. One respondent suggests, instead, indexing bands to reflect movements in property prices. Interestingly, at the Lyons inquiry conference a fortnight ago, it was Phil Woolas who pointed out that because there was no revaluation of property for council tax purposes, council tax was unable to increase as a consequence of inflation – unlike income tax. The poll also overwhelmingly backs the introduction of a new top rate council tax band and a bottom rate one, both of which Lyons proposed. More than three-quarters also support the relocalisation of the business rate – and this from a poll of whom almost half are Conservative. Two-thirds also want an end to council tax capping However, more than two-thirds of the poll reject a local tourist tax. Nor do they support the idea of charging for domestic rubbish, both backed by Lyons. Respondents are also ambivalent about the achievements of Lyons. Having clearly backed an end to capping, localised business rate, a different funding system and new council tax bands, they are more sceptical about whether the report itself will have a long-term impact. While only 20% believe it will be implemented, 29% say it will not and a further 42% believe it ‘a wasted opportunity.' Michael Burton Editor, The MJ
