​A series of meetings is looking at the future of Council Tax

Members of the public are being asked to take part in a forum looking at replacements to the Council Tax.

Citizens Advice Scotland, along with Dundee City Council, has teamed up with the Commission on Local Tax Reform to host a public engagement event on Wednesday, 26 August in the Hegarty Suite at Dundee United’s Tannadice Stadium.

It is one of a series taking place across Scotland during the course of August and September, with the Commission expected to complete its work in the autumn.

Minister for local government and community empowerment and co-chair of the commission, Marco Biagi MSP, said: “This commission has been all about continuing the debate on the future of how local government services are paid for.

“Central to this is understanding what local communities across Scotland think about what might – or might not – be a fairer way of raising the £2 billion presently collected from Council Tax in Scotland.

“Thousands of people have already been in touch with us to make their views known and this latest stage of our work will see us reach out to communities in Dundee to understand their views to help design a tax system that is fair and fit for purpose.”

May Kinninmonth, director of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau and a member of the commission, said: “In 2014/15, Citizens Advice Bureaux clients across Scotland sought advice on over 29,000 issues related to Council Tax and Council Tax debts, 4% more than the previous year.

“It’s an issue therefore that affects many of the people who use our services in the Dundee area and beyond and that’s why we would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this event and make their views known.”

People can continue to respond to the online questionnaire by visiting the Commission’s website – www.localtaxcommission.scot.

Wednesday’s event is free, but places are limited and members of the public can register to attend by calling 0131 474 9332 or by emailing [email protected]