Forum Topic

How the council is increasing its tax

'Unfortunately, due to unprecedented financial constraints within the Council, we have reluctantly had to increase the charge for garden waste subscriptions to £60. The concessionary rate, available to those in receipt of means tested benefits or aged 65 and over, has been increased to £45. 'So much for 7 years with no increases.

Graham Weeks ● 3993d7 Comments

Good point Chris. I am also sick of hearing from the political parties about 'hard working families'. Sure they are massively important but what about 'hard working singles' or those in a relationship who don't have kids and who don't cost the state as much in childcare, benefits, healthcare and schooling but who work and pay their taxes at the same rate?

Keith Iddon ● 3987d

Will the council now agree that they have DECREASED the Services as offered before. Either that or agree that THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED TAXES FOR THE SAME SERVICES. On this issue the councils understanding beggars belief.

Os A Whittle ● 3988d

"7 years with no increases" in this council basically means, "7 years where we haven't put the main rate up, but we've pulled bits out of it and started charging for those separately".The council claim that this is better value for everyone because not everyone has a garden. Fair enough. However, I don't have children, and won't be having children, so can I stop paying that massive part of my council tax that goes to schools? I mean, if they're picking bits that don't apply to everyone, then why only garden waste and not the others? Because it's just another way of the council squeezing every penny they can out of us, and delivering very little.I asked them for a replacement plastics recycling bag. The council website said they didn't collect my recycling! There is too little sense in this council, and too much idiocy.

Chris Haynes ● 3989d

Also,I believe the price of the CPZ residents permits and  visitor vouchers is increasing again along with a plan for a new park anywhere permit.Yes they are 'freezing the council tax' but we are still paying more through these stealth taxes.

Kevin Hemming ● 3991d

You'll probably find that the Contractor is failing to carry out the collections well because it is too busy collecting the fly tips!  Is more earned by collecting fly-tips I wonder?

Philippa Bond ● 3992d

can you please tell me how you can justify an increase of 50% from £30.00 to £45.00 and yet you have frozen the c/tax people won't pay it so once again you will increase the fly tipping which were I live all types of rubbish is being dumped all the time and all the missed collection it's a joke

Harold John Ward ● 3992d

A fortnightly collection - that is if they actually manage to carry out the collection - which isn't suitable for many people.  I still feel the same about it.  I think for many it would be better to find a local gardener and share his services and either share bins or collections or compost heaps.

Philippa Bond ● 3992d