Members appointed to Scottish Commission on Local Tax Reform

Politicians, academics and financial experts have been appointed to sit on a new commission designed to look at fairer systems of local taxation.

Eleven representatives from a variety of groups and organisations will make up the Commission on Local Tax Reform.

The group will examine alternatives to the council tax to fund local government services.

It will be co-chaired by Local Government Minister Marco Biagi and president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) David O’Neill.

Biagi said: “The Scottish Government believes the current council tax system is unfair and we are acting on our manifesto commitment, and the recommendations of the local government and Regeneration Committee, to look at alternative approaches to local taxation.

The Scottish Government believes the current council tax system is unfair

“The Commission on Local Tax Reform will consider progressive, workable and fair systems, taking into account domestic and international evidence on tax powers and wealth distribution, the autonomy and accountability of local government and the impact on individuals who pay the tax.

“The members bring a broad range of expertise and experience and I look forward to starting this important work.”

O’Neill believes a “great deal” of work lies ahead, but the commission is a chance to take a step back and think about the best way to pay for the local services that communities rely on every day.

“Across Scotland people are looking for the debate to break new ground, and that’s why I am determined that this Commission will be listening to people and organisations from all parts of the country, and setting out what it would take to give our local communities a real say about what matters most to them, and the best way to pay for it,” he added.

The Commission will meet for first time today and will report to the Scottish Government and COSLA in the autumn.

Just some of the members include writer and researcher Andy Wightman; Dr Angela O’Hagan, research fellow in the Institute for Society and Social Justice Research; Dr Jim McCormick, Scotland advisor of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; and Mary Kinnonmonth, manager of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau and member of Citizens Advice Scotland Board of Directors.