The Local Government Association has called on the government to include a local government finance bill in the forthcoming Queen’s Speech.
The proposal is one of seven submitted by the association in advance of the announcement of the government’s legislative agenda, due to be announced on 14 October.
The LGA said: “Councils need next year’s Spending Review to provide a long-term sustainable settlement, much needed certainty around funding and extra freedoms and flexibilities.
“This bill should pave the way for local government to keep 100% of business rates and boost local services, and set business rate discounts.
“It should also give councils full control over setting council tax, discounts and banding and provide a legal commitment to ensure councils get annual, rolling multi-year settlements.”
