| SNP group leader Willie Sawers has invited representatives of the other political groups and Independent member Ian Borthwick to a meeting aimed at reaching an agreed position towards a review of local government finance.
The SNP favour abolishing the council tax and replacing it with a local taxation system based on ability to pay.
Administration leader Jill Shimi’s initial response was that such a meeting would be premature but she has now signalled the intention to call a special meeting of the policy and resources committee to debate the issue.
Councillor Shimi said Mr Sawers’ invitation had arrived before Labour and their Liberal Democrat partners had the chance to discuss the matter.
She said the debate would have to be in broad terms as a review of local government finance has been announced by the Scottish Executive.
The most appropriate time to put Dundee’s detailed view on how local government should be financed would be during the consultations, which would form part of that review.
Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson has made similar comments in response to the SNP’s invitation.
He said they welcomed the review announced by the Executive, which would be the appropriate time to put forward the city council’s views.
Councillor Macpherson pointed out that his party had long supported a reformed local taxation system more related to ability to pay.
Meanwhile, Councillor Borthwick has told the SNP he would be happy to take part in the discussions suggested.
He also criticised Mrs Shimi’s claim that such a meeting would be premature and said he hoped the administration’s reaction was not based on the fact that it had been suggested by the SNP.
“I welcome the fact that there is to be a review of local government finance which, hopefully, will address the inequities in the current system,” he said.
“The council tax places an unfair burden on many people, particularly older people. Since it began in Scotland in 1993, it has risen by 80% — double the increase in the state pension — and has left people paying an increasing proportion of their income in council tax.”Mr Borthwick said the situation would be exacerbated if the Executive opted to remove the current system of water charges relief, due to expire this year.
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