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COUNCIL TAX

Scrap council tax referendum limits, says DCN

District councils should have the powers to increase council tax referendum limits to at least 10% as a first step to scrapping them altogether, district council chiefs say.

District councils should have the powers to increase council tax referendum limits to at least 10% as a first step to scrapping them altogether, district council chiefs say.

The District Council Network (DCN) has published a new prospectus setting out how a partnership between the new Government and district councils can help transform local places.

One of its main asks is that councils be given greater freedoms and flexibilities to raise income and support themselves.

The prospectus urges the next government to empower councils to increase fees to recover the full cost of planning and licensing services.

It also calls for local housing authorities to be allowed to retain all the extra income from the council tax supplement on second homes.

The network is also asking the next government to give councils more local control of business taxes and increase business rates retention to 75% of receipts.

COUNCIL TAX

Menopause Cafés: creating space, building support for council staff

By Dr Ruth Adams | 21 October 2025

Menopause is a shared workplace issue, not a private one, and that’s why South East Employers has introduced virtual Menopause Cafes, says Dr Ruth Adams.

COUNCIL TAX

Let outcomes not just effort be the measure of your council's legacy

By Tony Munton | 20 October 2025

As the sector awaits the finalisation of the Local Government Outcomes Framework, Tony Munton looks at how to steer local government toward measuring communi...

COUNCIL TAX

Talking opportunities

By Dr Helen Paterson | 13 October 2025

Dr Helen Paterson believes that while the sector faces real challenges, it must still make space for dialogue with government about the opportunities council...

COUNCIL TAX

Reorganisation could break care services unless government gets reform right

By Cllr Matthew Hicks | 10 October 2025

New analysis raises serious concerns for the future sustainability, quality and cost of people-based services if excessive fragmentation into smaller council...

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