CIPFA predicts drop in council tax inflation
Average council tax bill will still climb by more than 4%
Council taxes will rise by 4.2% during 2007-8, the
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and
Accountancy (CIPFA) has forecast.
The institute based its forecast on a survey of almost two-thirds of English
and Welsh local authorities with
band
D tax levels.
While this would be the second-lowest rise since 1994-5, it remains
significantly above the government’s preferred rate of inflation, currently at
2.7%.
Steve
Freer, CIPFA chief executive, said the predicted fall from last year’s 4.5%
growth was ‘positive news’ as it meant central and local governments were not
clashing on spending priorities.
’There is little doubt that the threat of capping if tax increases exceed 5%
has concentrated minds,’ he said.
Further reading:
Council disappointed at one star audit rating
Scottish National Party calls for Council Tax to be
scrapped
Awards 2006: Ealing Council – Public sector finance team of
the year