Highland Council calls for enhancements to control of local taxation

26th October 2017

The Highland Council has agreed to work with CoSLA and other partners to undertake research on options to enhance local control of taxation.

Leader of the Council, Margaret Davidson, who put forward the motion with Councillor Jimmy Gray, said:

"Over the past 50 years the proportion of local taxation in Local Authorities has decreased from around 50% to some 18%. Local control of taxation is fundamental to local democracy and is vital to ensure that we can direct resources towards local priorities and take into account the unique circumstances which affect a rural local authority like the Highlands."

Full wording of the motion to Council is as follows:

The Highland Council reaffirms its support for the final recommendations from CoSLA's Commission on Strengthening Local Democracy which includes the principle of subsidiarity.

The Council also believes that local democracy is increased when Local Government has control of taxation.

We move that the Council, working with CoSLA and other partners, undertake research on options to enhance local control of taxation so that local priorities and circumstances can be more fully taken into account.'

 

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