Council changes to put pounds 100 on tax
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.COUNCIL tax payers may face an extra pounds 100 on their bills because of local government reorganisation, Ngaio Crequer writes.
A leaked memorandum from the Department of Environment reveals that ministers want local tax payers to meet the transitional costs - estimated at pounds 1.2bn - of changing the two-tier structure of English county councils into single, all-purpose authorities.
The department is proposing that the costs of redundancies, recruitment of new staff, and installation of computer systems should fall on those who it says will benefit in future.
Cost of reform, page 2
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments