9 The Way Forward
Timetable
We publish the indicative timetable below for implementation
of our recommendations as an aid to the department, and a checklist
against which we, or our successors in a future Parliament can
assess progress in dealing with the issues we have raised.
Short Term
| Recommendation Numbers |
|
| Publication of 2005/2006 Revenue Support Grant settlement
|
| 6 | Publication of further details of the basis of the current grant system.
|
| 7 | Investigation of the feasibility of introducing a 3-year rolling programme of grants, drawing on lessons from the Scottish experience.
|
| 9 | Ring-fenced grants to be no more than 10% of the total of central grant.
|
| Budget setting/rate-setting by local authorities in 2005
|
| 16 | Implementation of strategy to raise public confidence in council tax and [eventual] effects of revaluation.
|
| 23,26 | Removal of Cap on business rates: 20% floor on contribution of business rate to total local authority revenue: constraints on increases in rate.
|
| 27 | Identification of best practice on council tax billing information, and guidance to all local authorities.
|
| 19 | Re-branding of council tax benefit.
|
| 15,16 | During 2005, begin preparation for the introduction of expanding banding scale, revised multipliers within the scale, and regional or sub-regional banding, following modelling and consultation
|
Medium Term
| Recommendation Numbers | By the end of 2005
|
| 8 | Ending of most power of capping.
|
| 10 | Reconsideration of the use of ring-fencing and passporting.
|
| 12, 21, 31 | Research and investigation into (a) reduction of inspection regimes on local authorities (b) feasibility of a local income tax (c) investigation into the implications of a local sales tax.
|
| By April 2006
|
| 23, 25 | Localisation of business rates: mechanism for preventing excessive annual increases: mechanism for limited distribution.
|
| 35 | Introduction of local authority power to raise revenue from the "basket of taxes".
|
Long Term
| Recommendation Numbers | At the time of the 2007 revaluation
|
| 14, 15 | Introduction of expanding banding scale, revised multipliers within the scale, and regional or sub-regional banding, following modelling and consultation
|
| At time of 2007 council tax billing
|
| 16 | Identification on bills of reasons for charges.
|
|
