STUC deputy warns council redesign could backfire without tax overhaul

Speaking at the SNP conference in Aberdeen, STUC deputy general secretary Dave Moxham cautioned that the Scottish Government’s sweeping plan to replace one outlet 32 local authorities with six to ten regional bodies and 120-160 community councils could become a “disaster” if council tax is not reformed concurrently. He argued that the present system contains massive inequities and that any new structure must incorporate a proportionate, property-value-based tax, possibly with rebates for low-income seniors.

Moxham warned that without such changes, local authorities and COSLA are likely to join the criticism. He also said the government’s broader public-service redesign appears unclear to workers, fearing job-cut motives rather than strategic planning. The STUC has launched a workers’ inquiry to gather ideas on improving public services, though it is uncertain whether the government will adopt those proposals.