Why doesn\t the Council charge more to people who actually use the services instead of taxing everyone for them?
Government legislation dictates the services that Council”s must deliver. These are known as statutory services and the law determines that the cost of these services be met primarily through local taxation. The Council also has the power to deliver certain non-mandatory services where the need exists within the Borough. The cost of these services is more likely to be met either through taxation, through fees and charges or a combination of the two. For example, The Council is obliged to provide an environmental health service, to protect the health and safety of the local community. Certain charges are made (e.g. restaurants pay a fee to be licensed) but a large proportion of the cost is met through taxation.
