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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

Why districts should embrace reorganisation

By Cllr Dale Broughton | 08 September 2025

Craig Leyland, Nick Worth and Dale Broughton explain how the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership is shaping the future of local government through...

COUNCIL TAX

Councils back Right to Buy reforms but seek more flexibility

By William Eichler | 05 September 2025

Reforms to Right to Buy (RtB) have given councils greater confidence in protecting and growing their housing stock, according to a Local Government Associati...

COUNCIL TAX

How councils will fare under Fair Funding 2.0

By Jonathan Meek | 04 September 2025

Simon Christian and Jonathan Meek analyse the impact of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on different council types and highlight the winners and losers among the...

COUNCIL TAX

Wychavon backs two unitaries for Worcestershire

By Dan Peters | 03 September 2025

Wychavon DC councillors have unanimously backed creating a south Worcestershire council as one of two new unitaries.

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