As part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to transparency, Ministers have  published new figures showing exactly who pays for local government services. A new council tax ‘heat map‘ shows how each resident in different parts of the country contributes in council tax, and how much they conversely receive in central government grant.

This new analysis makes it possible to compare how much councils get in formula grant and council tax per person in each area of the country. This analysis is another step towards de-mystifying the council finance system for residents.

The ten councils which contribute the most council tax per head (based on band D property) are all in London or the South:

• Richmond upon Thames (£755 per head)
• Chiltern (£734)
• South Bucks (£734)
• Elmbridge (£729)
• East Dorset (£722)
• West Dorset (£717)
• Purbeck (£716)
• Wealden (£716)
• Mole Valley (£713)
• Christchurch (£705)

There is another map on the site showing formula grant funding per head.

If (like Ruth) you wish there was a Plain English guide to all of this stuff on Local Government Finance, there is good news! Click here for details!