Surrey council considers voluntary 'mansion tax'

The council could consult its highest rate payers about a voluntary scheme

A Surrey council could ask residents who are paying the highest rates of council tax to voluntarily pay more to fund services.

Waverley Borough Council's plans are based on a scheme introduced by Westminster Council, dubbed a "mansion tax".

The London council has raised an additional £300,000 per year since the scheme was introduced in 2018, according to Waverley council.

A charity would need to be set up to receive the donations and administer the scheme for the council.

The executive at Waverley will discuss the plans at a meeting on Tuesday, and is likely to recommend that the council consults the highest-rate taxpayers to gauge support for a scheme.

In February the council decided to explore the creation of a voluntary contribution scheme when setting its budget for the coming year.

Council tax rates are decided by bands, from A the lowest to H the highest, that properties are put in according to their value.

Many parts of Waverley borough are also served by parish councils which can charge their own contribution, meaning the rates paid vary across the borough.

The highest rate for a band H property in Waverley is £4,812.36 in 2024/25.

Council documents said: "The residents living in band H properties in the borough will need to be consulted to get their buy in.

"This would be essential to the success of the scheme."