Forum Topic

Council Tax to be frozen this year!

As someone who could be in the minority who pays full Council Tax each year I am amazed that after all the whinging about cuts/savings imposed by Central Government that are being made by the local Labour Group our Council decides not to increase the local taxI would happily pay a bit more if it ensured that no cuts to vital services or in fact day to day services had to made locally

Paul Fisher ● 3653d11 Comments

No Paul, not taken as a derogatory statement at all,I was just curious. I have no doubt that LBH has its share of those on CT benefit. It could be a majority but I would be surprised. Those singles on 25%discount are , of course, paying the 'full whack' as that's how their is assessed.

Keith Iddon ● 3653d

Take a look at the directors of Galliard and see whom they are connected to.It's very interesting reading.As for Hounslow and Ealing Councils. The protectionism at the expense of the residents and council taxpayers is none to clever.A huge amount could be saved by weeding out the serial careerists with little to show for it and reward those who are loyal, diligent, do their jobs well yet are walked all over by the well connected brigade.How can it be that cabinet councillors can have spouses or offspring working for, or on bespoke contracts to the same authority, with access to sensitive information, not be a conflict of interest?How is it that not all have fully declared such arrangements?It seems even those who have, are not fully investigated in any case.Why is it that a certain 'charity run' to Cannes involved overnight stays in top class accommodation and support vehicles. Why was a property company hosting and picking up the tab?  That other boroughs were also wooed by such company?Where is the ethical integrity? How can these people be trusted as public servants?It would be better and fairer to increase council tax, but much fairer to flush out those who are milking from within first.

Raymond Havelock ● 3653d

Well the developers Galliard are figuring very highly in these doings, when the Dear Leader and his deputy are directors of a council company seems to me that there is a clear conflict of interests. Google 360 Hounslow.

Vanessa Smith ● 3653d

It is not just money/pay though is it?  It is the junketing that goes on in this game of being property developers that is going on.  Is all that being declared?  Where is all the funding for that coming from?

Philippa Bond ● 3653d

Hi Paul, as a 'full whack, top band' council tax payer, I most certainly do not want any increase in the tax until such time as no one in the local council is paid more than the PM.

Lorne Gifford ● 3653d

Hi Keith,my comment about someone who could be in the minority who pays full Council Tax each year was pure guesswork based on the fact that we seem to have a very high share of benefit claimants in our Borough and I hope it did not come across as being derogatory as that was not my intentionThe point I was trying to make was that those who do pay full whack would I think in the main be fine in paying a little extra to preserve services

Paul Fisher ● 3653d

Given the massive increase in 'luxury/executive' apartments occurring in Houslow (ie Brentford), the local council is taking in more and more each year from council tax. There is no justification therefore for increasing the tax or reducing the services. The only reason for service reduction has to come from increasing bureaucracy, inefficiency and wage bills within the council itself.  Local councils and public service employers generally lack the one driving influence that keeps private companies efficient - 'if you don't relentlessly focus on efficiency then your competitors will become superior to you and you will go bankrupt'.Personally I'd like to see our local council employ the services of a management consultancy to root out all the inefficiency, but since I suspect that will include capping wages it won't be happening any time soon.  What was that pay rise to top council personnel last year? 23% sticks in the mind, and the throat.

Lorne Gifford ● 3653d

Absolutely.  And on the question of Council Tax the government is actually allowing local authorities to make an increase this year, albeit conditionally.  Sadly it would appear the government has been out-Toried this year by the Liz Kendall-supporting Leader and his administration at the London Borough of Hounslow.

Phil Andrews ● 3653d

This IS one of the important areas which we expect the Council to take care of.  The NHS and Social care instead of fighting against each each other by pushing people from budget to budget would save money if they cooperated.There was a good article in the Guardian recently about the system in the Isle of Wight? I think where the services work together...Also this:  http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/29/hospitals-told-cut-staff-nhs-cash-crisis?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H&utm_term=153879&subid=11419527&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2Many people do not want it all privatised they want it all supported properly.  There's nothing clever in not putting Council Tax up when all that happens is lots of little extras are added.  I can't believe that many of these actually save money anyway.  They just move the figures around from one column to another.

Philippa Bond ● 3653d

So do I - I just don't understand the logic (if there is any) of this. Neither do I get why the government just cannot see that it's not enough to pick a fight with junior doctors, for the NHS to really run at capacity 7 days a week needs staff from ALL departments that back up and work with clinicians. That will cost a lot of money why not put up income tax by a penny and ring fence that solely for the NHS? Pay these people what they deserve. Put ideology to one side and put the nation's health first, if we want these things then we have to learn to pay for them.

Vanessa Smith ● 3653d

Why do you think you are in the minority? I agree btw, a small increase targetted on vital services would be ok, considering the likely alternatives.

Keith Iddon ● 3653d