Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what is the most recent advice which his Department has given to local authorities in Dorset about the maximum permissible period for harmonisation of council taxes in the event of local government reorganisation.

In November, in response to a request from Dorset councils, the Department advised that it is for those implementing any unitary proposal to put to the Secretary of State their proposals for council tax equalisation.

Having regard to those proposals and to such other factors as he considers appropriate, the Secretary of State will make provision in the necessary secondary legislation specifying the maximum period for equalisation.

Those other factors include the need to strike a balance between ensuring that council taxpayers do not experience a large increase in bills and not allowing residents in one predecessor area to become concerned that they are effectively contributing more to the cost of services than others in the area.