Council tax review will hit hot spots

Published on Sunday 16 October 2005 00:06

LOCAL authority leaders are calling for a revaluation of all homes in Scotland, in a move that will trigger massive council tax rises for those living in property hot spots.

Along with the revaluation, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) wants extra bands, to shift the burden of tax away from people in cheaper homes and on to the more wealthy.

The plans will be put to the Independent Review of Local Government Finance being led by ITV chairman Sir Peter Birt.

A revaluation of all properties in England has been postponed by ministers because it is deemed so controversial.

In Wales, the only part of the UK so far to have gone through a revaluation, a third of homes were shifted up a band.

CoSLA's finance spokesman, Councillor John Pentland, said: "A reformed council tax with revised bands and a property revaluation is seen as the best way forward both for councils and for council tax payers."

The review will report back next year.