Greater London Authority Bill

moved Amendment No. 118: 118: After Clause 49, insert the following new Clause— ““Precepts (1) The Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14) is amended as follows. (2) After section 40(9) (issue of precepts by mayor precepting authorities) insert— ““(9A) The Greater London Authority shall have printed an explanation and billing notice dedicated solely to the annual precept raised by the Greater London Authority.””.”” The noble Baroness said: The purpose of the amendment lies in the wording. The amendment seeks to increase London taxpayers’ understanding of exactly where their money is going, and it proposes that boroughs send out separate bidding notices for, and explanations of, council tax and the GLA precept. There is extensive support at all levels for such a proposal. London Councils openly supports it, the Mayor has indicated that he would not oppose it, and it will certainly be of interest to the residents of London. The advantages of this suggestion are abundantly clear, stemming from transparency in billing. Taxpayers have been faced with steadily increasing bills each year, and would be able to see obviously how much of their money was being devoted to the GLA precept. It is well known that the precept has risen two-thirds above what it was when the Mayor first came in. It is increasingly going up, and that requires an explanation to rate payers, particularly when it now takes up to half of some boroughs’ total requirements. It would helpful if there was a statutorily required explanation with the London tax bills. That is the purpose behind the amendment. I beg to move.