Politics
Mitcham Referendum on Community Infrastructure Levy: Projected Changes to Council Rates and Local Projects
Mitcham residents will vote in September on a proposal that would tie future council rate adjustments to specific funding for roads, parks and libraries under the terms set out in the 2026 ballot guide.
How we reported this
Mitcham voters face a single-question referendum on 12 September that would authorise the council to apply a community infrastructure levy to new residential and commercial developments. The measure, if passed, would direct proceeds toward maintenance of existing roads, parks and library branches rather than new construction. The ballot guide published by Mitcham Council last week states that the levy would apply only to projects above a set size threshold and would not alter existing property rates directly.
Why the vote is scheduled now
Mitcham Council records show that capital reserves for routine repairs fell by 18 percent between 2022 and 2025. Officials have attributed the shortfall to higher material costs and increased demand on services following recent population growth in the town centre wards. The referendum was called after the council received legal advice that any dedicated levy requires explicit voter approval under the Local Government Finance Act provisions.
Policy analysts at the Mitcham Civic Forum note that the levy would be collected at the point of planning permission and held in a ring-fenced account. Local advocates for small businesses have pointed out that the charge would not apply to extensions under 50 square metres, a detail contained in the draft regulations attached to the ballot paper.
Daily effects for households and services
Residents in wards such as Figges Marsh and Pollards Hill would see no immediate change to their council tax bills if the measure passes. The council budget papers project that levy revenue would instead replace a portion of the annual highways maintenance allocation, which currently stands at £2.4 million. Library opening hours and park groundskeeping contracts could receive supplementary funding, according to the same documents, though the exact split would be decided by councillors after the vote.
The legislation states that the levy rate would be reviewed every three years and could be adjusted only through a further public process. Community groups have been invited to submit comments on the draft guidance until 31 July, with those submissions published on the council website before the referendum.
Ballot papers will be mailed to all registered electors on 15 August. Results are expected within 48 hours of polls closing, after which the council must publish an implementation timetable if the measure is approved.