A “flood tax” for Surrey homes is being discussed by the county council’s cabinet tonight (October 31).
Blaming a lack of cash reserves to pay for the county’s expected £100million contribution to the River Thames Scheme, aimed to reduce the impact of future floods, the council is to discuss funding options.
Council officers have recommended asking the government to pay Surrey’s share, either up-front or in a loan.
However, at the cabinet’s request, the report also identifies the possibility of raising the money through an addition to Council Tax or a levy.
It estimates between £3.1million and £9.3million a year could be raised through an increase of between 0.5 per cent and 1.5 per cent in Council Tax - meaning a rise of up to £19.02 a year for band D homes.
This is far beneath the estimated £100million the council could be asked to pay.
Any Council Tax increase of more than 2 per cent will currently trigger a referendum, except if it is to pay for adult social care, which allows a larger increase.
The report suggests asking Communities and Local Government minister Sajid Javid to allow the council to do the same to pay for flood defences.
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