Exclusive:SNP council tax reform consultation dismissed as ‘cynical fantasy’

David Ross, the leader of Fife Council, said the SNP should ‘put up or shut up’

Plans to hold a consultation on council tax reform 18 years after the SNP came to power with a promise to scrap it have been dismissed as “cynical” and “a fantasy”.

David Ross, the leader of the Labour group on Cosla, the council umbrella body, said the SNP should “put up or shut up”. He called the latest move a “cynical attempt to shift attention away” from looming council tax rises.

Earlier this week, Finance Secretary Shona Robison said the Scottish Government wanted to “examine ways to make council tax fairer”.

The SNP has repeatedly promised to overhaul council tax | PA

She announced a new joint programme with Cosla that will begin with the commissioning of expert advice, followed by seeking the views of the public in a consultation and a series of “town hall” style events to be held this autumn.

Opponents dismissed it as “another talking shop to kick the can down the road”.

The SNP has consistently pledged in manifestos to overhaul the often criticised local levy system, but progress in finding a replacement has stagnated in recent years.

Mr Ross, the leader of Fife Council, said, “Announcing a consultation on the council tax at this time is simply a cynical attempt to shift attention away from the significant council tax rises that local councils are being forced to make to protect services because of the failure of the Scottish Government over many years to provide adequate funding for local authorities.

“The SNP have been promising to reform or replace the council tax since 2007 and have failed to do so. Since that time there have been numerous studies looking at alternatives to the council tax or how the system could be made fairer.

“To think that a consultation process at this time will produce any meaningful consensus in the run up to a Holyrood election next year is pure fantasy.

“Why has this been left till the last moment when there is no prospect of anything being implemented before the next election? The SNP should put up or shut up. If they are really committed to change, then they should bring forward clear proposals and not hide behind the smokescreen of yet more studies and consultations.”

Katie Hagmann, Cosla’s resources spokeswoman, said: “Councils are working hard to deliver every day for our communities. However, budget cuts, inflation, higher costs such as the increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions, and the previous freezes on council tax mean councils have unfortunately had to make difficult decisions to avoid reducing or cutting essential services.

“Council tax is one of the few options councils have to raise money to invest in local improvements such as roads; community halls and leisure centres; and public transport.

“These are services that benefit us all, but especially the people in our communities who might need extra support – such as children and young people, parents with young children, elderly people, or those with disabilities. With this in mind, councils are carefully considering what increase is necessary and appropriate for them locally.

“Reform of council tax is overdue and Cosla wishes to see a council tax that is fair and proportionate for all householders. Councils have advice and support services in place to help people who are struggling to pay their council tax or having financial difficulties.”