“Residents see the value”: Council in Milton Keynes responds to claims it has one of the UK’s highest local taxes
A council in Milton Keynes has told the Citizen that “residents see the value day after day” after a report from a think tank claimed that it charged residents one of the highest local council taxes in England.
Woughton Community Council was responding to a report from the Adam Smith Institute which claimed that it charged the 14th-highest local council tax in England for a Band D property at £368.15.
The institute, which describes itself as one of the world’s leading think thanks, also claimed that Woughton charges more than any other local council across the southeast of England.
In 2019, Woughton Community Council won the Council of the Year title at the National Association of Local Councils Star Council awards.
The awards, which are voted for by the public are designed to recognise the achievements of the local council sector and their contributions to communities.
A spokesperson for Woughton Community Council told the Citizen that “the council offers one of the broadest ranges of support and service in the city.”
The council’s chair Sue Smith said: “We remain committed to seeing the best for our community and know that our services and support make a real difference.
“Our advice services help hundreds of people each year, our youth services ensure positive activities are provided across the parish and our community services mean that people move from isolation to being part of something.
“This support is crucial for our parish and residents see the value, day after day.”
The paper from the Adam Smith Institute recognises that local councils “are the most human tier of local Government” but raises concerns about tax-raising powers that are “not subject to statutory caps or checks.”
It sets out proposals which include generous headroom for the lowest-charging councils, and routes to exceed it tied to the strength of a council’s democratic mandate.
Woughton Community Council also told the Citizen that it “continues to deliver initiatives that other areas no longer offer”, with the council’s manager Steve McNay adding: “As we see local councils across the country take on more and more, Woughton is a great example of a forward thinking, proactive council where residents are the priority.
“Work to protect the most important services has been vital and is reflected in so many positive outcomes for residents.
“Our councillors and officers work extremely hard for their communities, and this shows in the feedback we see, the community spirit that is thriving and a parish that is a great place to live.”