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Parish and Town Councils: Devolution

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 2 July 2025UIN 62970

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58761 on Parish and Town Councils: Devolution, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) local government restructuring and (b) the abolition of district councils does not lead to an increase in the overall level of council tax.

Answered by Jim McMahon

Decisions on council tax levels will be taken by new councils. Where new councils inherit different levels of council tax from their predecessors, legislation provides for them to be harmonised for up to seven years. The Secretary of States determines referendum principles each year to ensure residents have the final say over excessive increases. Council tax referendum principles are set on an annual basis and no decision have been taken about the principles for future years.

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