What is the future of local government?
Posted by Phyllis Starkey, MP for Milton Keynes South West, at 09:14, Wed 3 May 2006:
The advent of the local Council elections on 4th May is reflected in Parliament with an increasing level of party political point scoring. Almost every question to a minister seems to be used as an opportunity to praise or criticise the MP's local Council - depending on whether the Council is controlled by the same or an opposing party to that of the MP.
But Local Government has also been a topic of debate because the government is preparing a White Paper on Local Government Reform and ministers have been discussing the issues with MPs; particularly MPs such as me who in their previous lives were Council Leaders. To help me to contribute to that debate, I would find it really helpful to know your views - either by replying on the HearFromYourMP site or writing to the House of Commons.
The first big question is what should be the function of local government? Is it to use its local democratic mandate to decide local spending priorities? To be an effective local manager of national policies like education or social services? To bring together different local interests, like business, the voluntary sector, the local police and NHS to work together for the local community? Or is it all of these?
What is then the best structure to deliver these roles? Here in Milton Keynes we have a Unitary Council with urban and rural Parish Councils for many neighbourhoods. Other parts of the country have a two tier system with County and District Councils. What about an elected Mayor instead of the Cabinet system we have in Milton Keynes? What about Milton Keynes working with the surrounding District Councils, where many of those who work in the City have their homes, to form a City Region with greater powers devolved from national government?
The final question of course is funding. Council Tax is the only part of the Council's income that is decided by Councillors locally; nearly three quarters of the Council's income comes from government in grant and business rates. Should a greater proportion of the Council's income be raised locally? Should business rates be localised? What about a local income tax, congestion charge, tourist tax, local VAT or even local Vehicle Excise Duty? Whatever choice is made it has to be easy to collect and seen to be fair to everyone - no-one wants a repeat of the Poll Tax fiasco. Let me know your ideas - and remember to vote on 4th May.
Comments
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Posted by David Stokes, 12:00, Wed 3 May 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
I don't like the idea of local income tax, this suggests that different areas would pay different amounts, is this really fair? In a deprived area, people will have to pay more to compensate for the poor. Where as a well off area, everyone will pay less.
A local income tax is something else to administer.
If you want a local income tax, surely it would be simpler to raise National Income tax. And scrap Council Tax. This would save money in collection.
I can understand that income tax should be as low as possible, but theres no point if that just means more and more hidden taxes, VAT, Fuel Tax, Insurance Tax, Council Tax, Stamp Duty, etc.