MP calls for two-month council tax freeze in Bury

An MP is calling on Bury Council to freeze council tax for two months to shield his constituents from the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Bury North MP James Daly said the local authority should “take the bullet” and find a way to finance the council tax freeze until the local community gets “back on its feet”.

He is also calling on the council to allow traders to operate rent free for a period of three months.

The newly-elected MP, who is still a councillor for North Manor ward, said the council can collect the outstanding council tax later in the year.

He said: “This is a local tax. This decision is something the council can take locally and should take responsibly.

“I’m proposing that the money is not paid during the first two months, but it will be repaid at the end of the financial year.

“It’s therefore something that the council can finance themselves.”

Cllr Daly said that market traders urgently need a three-month rent freeze to protect the interest of the market.

The government is set to introduce a business rates retail holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.

Bury Council, which collects business rates, alongside other Greater Manchester local authorities, retains 99 per cent of the money it collects in business rates as part of a government pilot scheme.

When asked whether the government should cover any shortfalls in council tax revenue, as it has promised to do with business rates, Cllr Daly said he would raise the matter with his Conservative colleagues in government if neceesary.

He said: “At this stage I’m asking for the council’s view on how this can be funded. If they want me to take any message back to government, I would take back any message to government that would help my residents and constituents in Bury North.”

Responding to Cllr Daly’s comments, council leader David Jones, said it was too soon for the local authority to make such a commitment to its residents.

He said: “We are looking at the financial implications to our residents and businesses. Assessing at the same time the offer from the government in terms of support. These are early days in what will be a crisis lasting months and Bury Council will do all it can to minimise the effects to everyone.”