Poll on Council Tax

[Kernow_Clan]

Hi all

In light of current events surrounding the Council Tax, how`s about a straw poll to guage the feelings of all of you out there.

Read the Poll statements and decide on the one that you agree with the most.

Please do not turn this thread into a debate, that can come later

 

[carolfoy]

Sorry replied on your closed thread! have gone for number 2 when I'd like to say I've got the balls for number 4

 

[Joanne UK]

I've voted for number 2 but I'm not sure what increases your referring too.
Ours goes up every year anyway. I thought the rebanding idea had now been dropped?

 

[Kernow_Clan]

Sorry Joanne,

The argument is that if wages rise by an average of 3% and inflation is at 2.5% yet council tax bills rise between 7-20 per cent each year, is the rise justified/legal/fair?

Should have explained that I guess

 

[Goofyish]

I chose number 2.

I don't think you can compare the council tax rises with the current rate of inflation. There are more factors involved in calculating any rise in council tax than just adding on a percentage based on inflation. The government contribution to local authorities change, new services may have been created that require more funding, staff levels at the council may have changed, schools may require new buildings, or urgent repairs, recycling schemes may have been introduced that need funding, additonal police funding, bad weather may result in large repair bills (e.g. Birmingham tornado)... etc.

It's not really fair to say that council tax should only rise in line with inflation (although it would be great if it did ); there are too many other factors involved in the calculations.

 

[Kernow_Clan]

Fair point, the underlying issue however is that we are currently living in a society where government policy ditates our lives, not very democratic, and as long as enough Labour voters are blind to this, we will never get out of this hole.

Sorry, but I am totally appalled at the way this society is gradually being destroyed around me, but of course, should I stand up and be counted, I will be labelled as a troublemaker as I do not agree with current policy. No longer can an individual have a voice unless they toe the party line.

Watch the Labour voters react to that

 

[Frances999]

I'm no fan of Labour, but the council tax is just one of many negative things they have done whilst in power. There is no option but to pay it, so option two is what I voted for. Council tax should not (in my opinion) depend upon the value of your home. It's an outdated system.

 

[Joanne UK]

I thought the Conservatives introduced the council tax after the fiasco that was the Poll Tax?

 

[Frances999]

I thought the Conservatives introduced the council tax after the fiasco that was the Poll Tax?

Sorry, my post was very unclear. I didn't mean to imply the introduction of the council tax, just the price rises, yet no improvement in services.

 

[jen_uk]

I voted 2, I pay the tax but I think its too high, next Portsmouth council tax is due to go up loads

 

[Amyrlin]

I wish I had the courage to refuse to pay the increases, not because they are above inflation, but because there is no increase in service or even value given as bills go up and services are cut back.

 

[Joanne UK]

Who sets the Council Tax each year? Is it the government or the individual councils?

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
Probably make a few enemies with my comments but here goes.
I spent several years working at a local authroity and believe me the waste of money would make many people's blood boil. Imho an above inflation rise in council tax should only be an option with the consent of the people who pay the bill. If the council's income is too low to provide the services then they should be cut. My council tax bill is the only bill I recieve that I have no control over and I am very angry that I keep having to pay more money for no noticeable gain. Here are some examples of waste from the authority I worked for. A Council information Officer (spin Doctor) £28,000 p/a.
A Migrant Worker Support Officer £22,000 p/a. Temporary Council Tax Enforcement Officer £30 p/hr. Lots more where they came from and all of them have relocation allowance and car user allowance. The Mayor just got a new car and a driver of course. But what really annoys me is when the end of the finacial year approaches, that's when all the budget holders spend any money left in thier budget on anything they can or they lose that money from next years budget.
Sorry for the rant but it seems heck of a way to run a country.

Mick.

 

[Goofyish]

Who sets the Council Tax each year? Is it the government or the individual councils?

It's the individual councils that set the council tax rate. To set the rate they have to present a budget to the council, (this may be a simple process if one party has overall control of the council, or may involve a lot of deals and negotiotions betreen various groups whin the council if no party has overall control).
There are various elements that go to make up the council tax. Some are in direct or partial control of central government (like the sum of money central government gives directly to the councils, money for education etc. Depending on where you live there could be a county council element as well as a local parish council element. Most elemetns are set based on local services and circumstance - and to some extent on the councils efficiency!

Given the number of element that go to make up the council tax and the ever increasing amount of different services that need to be provided, I don't think you can just blame central government or one particular political party for the state your local councils' services or tax rises.

I do think that the way they calculate the council tax needs to be reformed, base both on the number of people in the property, it's size (number of rooms), value and income - I'm sure it's not that difficult to devise a formula that is failt to everyone

 

[Miffy2003]

An elderly lady here in Exeter has just been sent to jail for refusing to pay her (increase) in council tax. She is being regarded as a heroine by many here - and has gone to jail for 7 days for the sake of £70. She chose not to pay and wanted to do this to make a point.

Not sure how I feel about the above really. I see it as one of those unpleasant things that we have to pay and have no control over (bit like my water bill really, LOL)

Mick's post did make me see red - not with you, Mick, but because I know this goes on in many councils
And by no means am I tarring all council workers with this brush - many of you work extremely hard I know, but it is the system that is wrong.

 

[leise]

I agree with Goofyish that council tax is a complex calculation and so many factors can mean it increases above inflation. For example the increasing levels of insurance needed, etc. Increases in road maintenance (not that they do any round here ), care for the elderly, etc.
Our local council ask every year whether people want more services, the same services for more money (they explain how that comes about!), or fewer services for the same or less money. Every year they get told ; same services or more services...and that's a Conservative Council, so this is a Tory area...

If we don't want the council tax to pay for these services, how are we going to pay for them? Local income tax? Or based on number of adults living in house? How does that work for second home owners, and councils with loads of them?

I know we aren't supposed to be debating here, so I'll shut up now