Labour’s secret plan to raise Council Tax
The plan by local Labour bosses to create a new "Super-Birmingham" local authority spanning the West Midlands has never been particularly clear.
This is because key details have been kept secret. However recently the Coventry Telegraph has published a leaked document showing what Labour is up to.
Their plans include a West Midlands Mayor with powers to raise Council Tax, raise business rates, powers to make compulsory purchase orders and a proposal to create an "Enterprise Zone" somewhere in Warwickshire. (Property developers working in enterprise zones work outside the normal rules for getting planning permission).
The leaked document can be downloaded from the Coventry Telegraph website here http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/article10132423.ece/BINARY/West%20Midlands%20Combined%20Authority%20draft%20agreement .