The Department for Communities and Local Government consultation paper, Self-sitfficient local government: 100% Business Rates Retention, has been required reading this summer. Consultation closes on 26 September, so there is plenty of time for district councils and others to respond. Among many important issues raised about the re-design of the local government finance system, one directly challenges the role of district councils as billing authorities. This year, district councils are collecting tens of billions of pounds of council tax and business rates, mostly on behalf of precepting authorities (in particular county councils) or the Government. The latter will change by 2020 when the Government is proposing local government will retain 100% of business rates income.
展开▼
