Council Tax Backlog Could Take 40 Years

2.47.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Jun 2005

Forty years - that's how long it will take to clear the backlog of council tax valuation appeals at the present rate of progress, according to figures uncovered by Liberal Democrats.

Some 6,618 households in Wales are appealing against the re-valuation of their home, which is used to calculate their council tax band from this April. While the Labour government in Wales pressed ahead with revaluation, England has yet to follow suit.

Mike German, Assembly leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "The council tax is already unpopular, but this blockage in the appeal system is not going to make it any more popular. More than 6,000 families are appealing against a rise in their council tax - but only 28 have been resolved in the first two months.

"At this rate, it will take more than 39 years to clear the backlog!"

"People increasingly resent the council tax, and fail to see the link between spiralling bills and the services they receive. More and more people support a switch to a local income tax - a fairer tax based on ability to pay, not the value of the building in which you happen to live. LIT also has the benefit of being easier to collect, and doesn't need painful revaluation every few years."

Mike German Outside The Assembly Building during an "Axe The Tax" protest

Phil Hobson, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Monmouthshire County Council said, "We have seen a lot of residents appealing against their new banding this year. The council tax system will soon be at breaking point. As a means to raise funds for local government, it has lost the confidence of people and it is now time to scrap the system in favour of one that is based upon a person's ability to pay."

The Liberal Democrats want to axe the council tax and replace it with a local income tax. Mr German has written to the minister for local government and public services Sue Essex to ask what action she is taking to clear the backlog.