Chiefs use poll to plea for fresh fiscal powers

摘要

Local government needs fiscal devolution and more powers to secure a financially sustainable future, council chiefs have told us in an exclusive survey. This year's The MJ and Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) study found nearly two-thirds of councils were confident of becoming financially self-sufficient by 2020, but only if Whitehall offers them more powers. The wish list of the 156 chief executives, finance directors, leaders and finance portfolio holders across 132 councils included the ability to raise specific local taxes, council tax rebanding, and more powers over charging and trading.