Forum Topic

Council tax again

From the 'News' section of this site, I learn that :- Council tax (a progressive tax)will drop by 3% again next year.  That allows me to buy another extra Mars bar per week, those with more expensive property might get 2 Mars bars ;-)- Regressive charges such as meals on wheels, parking and adult education have gone up by 40 - 50%.- The Council Leader got a 14% payrise.Doesn't look too clever from where I'm standing.

Andrew Broadbent ● 6110d3 Comments

Council tax is only a progressive tax in a very broad sense. There are lots of people in this part of London, particularly longstanding residents, who are on relatively low incomes but live in higher tax band properties. Pretending increases in Council tax aren't material by expressing it as a weekly payment is using a trick employed by insurance companies. The fact is that cumulative rises in tax over the last decade have made a very big dent in the disposable income of many.Whilst I would dispute that Council Taxes can be put up with minimal impact on residents I would agree that raising charges is not necessarily a good alternative. With the exception of parking they often tend to target those with less of a voice in community matters so the Council can get away with it.The looming problem is that other sources of income such as asset sales and planning gain are going to dry up so Council's will either need to make big staff cuts or put up both Council Tax and charges.

Andy Jones ● 6100d

I'd rather pay more council tax and know that elderly and disabled people are being looked after. It's just not on to make them pay for basic care. We'll all be elderly one day, don't forget!

Lina Leaman ● 6108d

I don't like Mars bars.  I want them to spend it on meals on wheels and education.  Doesn't look too clever to me, either.

Sarah Taylor ● 6108d