REFORM Wales has called on the Welsh Government to introduce local referendums for council tax increases above 4.99 per cent.

Under the proposal, put forward in the Senedd on October 14, residents would have the right to approve or reject increases above that threshold, bringing Wales in line with the system already in place in England.

Commenting, Reform Wales’ Shadow Cabinet Minister for Finance, Cai Parry-Jones MS said:

“With council tax bills continuing to rise while services and high streets decline, residents deserve a greater say over how much they are expected to pay, rather than having their concerns ignored.

“Reform’s motion calls for greater accountability from local authorities and to give residents a direct say when councils propose increases above 4.99%, this will finally put Welsh taxpayers on equal footing with their English counterparts.

“Plaid Cymru talk about a new deal for Wales, but what the people of Wales really need is a fair deal from all layers of government within Wales. If councils want to take more money from hard-pressed households, they should have to justify their decisions directly to the people who pay.”