05.02.14
Council tax voting records to be made public
New regulations would require councils to keep a public record of how councillors vote on their budget, as well council tax changes, the government has announced.
Individual voting records could increase local transparency.
The measure comes as local authorities are considering whether to accept a council tax freeze. The government has offered up to £550m for councils to freeze council tax for the next two years.
Local government secretary Eric Pickles said: “Much like an MP, how a councillor votes should be a matter of public record so the electorate can see each decision has their best interests at heart.
“The changes we have introduced today will strengthen the local accountability around council tax. With voting decisions openly recorded and local referendums for excessive increases, council tax bills will no longer dodge local democracy.
“In addition, this government is helping hard-working families manage their cost of living by funding those town halls willing to freeze council tax bills in stark contrast to before 2010 when bills more than doubled.”
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