Q1. What Council Tax band are you currently in?
A – Answer as appropriate
Q2. Which council area do you live in?
A – Answer as appropriate
Q3. The Welsh Government has shown 3 possible approaches for how to design a fairer Council Tax system. We want to ask you about your appetite for reform. Do you think we should aim for:
A – Approach 3: expanded reform
Comments – In the longer term, I would prefer a more radically progressive reform than those on offer, such as a Land Value Tax.
Q4. The Welsh Government has described when the changes could be made to the Council Tax bands and tax-rates. Again, we want to ask about your appetite for reform. Do you think we should make changes according to the:
A – fastest timetable: minimal, modest or expanded reform by 1 April 2025
Comments – As the reform will result in a more progressive application of Council Tax bills, it is vital that, given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, reform goes ahead as soon as possible and is not delayed.
Q5. Do you agree there should be an overall time-limit on Exemption F to discourage properties being left empty and exempt from Council Tax for an indefinite period?
A – Yes
Q6. What do you consider is a reasonable period for obtaining probate or letters of administration?
A – 2 years
Q7. Which title do you think should replace the term ‘severely mentally impaired’?
A – Answer as appropriate
Q8. Do you agree with the proposed definition to describe a person with a significant brain impairment or condition?
A – Yes
Q9. Do you have any views on the qualifying criteria for a person with a significant brain impairment or condition to be entitled to an exemption or disregard? The current qualifying criteria are for a person to be entitled to a qualifying benefit and to have medical certification from a registered practitioner.
A – Option A
Q10. We would like to know your views on the effects that these proposals would have on the Welsh language, specifically on opportunities for people to use Welsh and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than English. What effects do you think there would be? How could positive effects be increased, or negative effects be mitigated?
A – Answer as appropriate
Q11. Please also explain how you believe the proposed policy approach could be formulated or changed so as to have positive effects or increased positive effects on opportunities for people to use the Welsh language and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language, and no adverse effects on opportunities for people to use the Welsh language and on treating the Welsh language no less favourable than the English language.
A – Answer as appropriate
Q12. We have asked a number of specific questions. If you have any related points which we have not specifically addressed, please use this space to record them.
A – Council tax reform is long overdue, so this move is to be welcomed. The expanded reform would make an unfair system significantly fairer and as such should be implemented without delay.