HUNDREDS of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents attempted to challenge their council tax bills last year, figures reveal.

Think tank Bright Blue said a rise in the proportion of successful challenges across England shows that the country's tax system has "long passed its sell-by date".

The Valuation Office Agency – which gives the Government property valuations and advice – received 340 challenges from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents over their council tax bill in 2020-21 – though this was down from 360 the year before.

Of the 310 challenges which were resolved last year, 100 (32 per cent) resulted in the occupier's council tax bill decreasing, and 190 in no change – though some of these may have been submitted in previous years.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “The banding and charging regime is provided by statute which billing authorities are obliged to follow. The Listing Officer of the Valuation Office Agency, an executive agency of HMRC, is responsible for assessing the council tax bands for domestic properties.

“The council has a duty to report to the Listing Officer, information which comes to its notice during the course of its normal functions, which it considers will assist the Listing Officer carry out his functions.

“The council reports weekly to the Listing Officer information sourced from planning, building control, inspection and other sources. We also publicise how council taxpayers can challenge their band if they believe it to be wrong.”

Across England and Wales, 40,620 challenges were launched last year – down from 43,650 in 2019-20.

Of the 38,070 resolved disputes, 11,670 (31 per cent) resulted in the council tax band being decreased – up from 29 per cent in 2019-20.

Just 40 households saw their council tax band increase.

All homes are given a council tax valuation band by the VOA based on its value in April 1991 – these range from the cheapest band A to the most expensive band H, with band D the most common.

Bright Blue said the rise in successful challenges is evidence that England's domestic property tax system is out of date.

Joseph Silke, communications officer at the think tank, said: “The banding system devised three decades ago disproportionately burdens those with more modest means.

“If the Government wants to level up, council tax and stamp duty should be entirely replaced with a fairer annual proportional property tax.”