kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

Just heard on the radio our local council is sticking council tax up by 4.5% again this year, the police have yet to throw their increase in as well.
Despite the 4.5% rise we are to expect yet more cuts in services though thats what they have said for the past 7 years ffs, how can they justify taking more money in return for less and less services year after year.

Next year im going consider becoming a dole scrounging pikey and let the generous tax payers fork out for my rent and council tax

The Zohan

I heard on the news yesterday that job centres spend 4.5 million pounds a year in translators fopr no English speaking 'clients' more waste of money.

I am sure thet are better uses for this money surely.

Our local coucil comissioned a piece of art, several upright steel poles arranged in groups for outside their new offices, drove past last night to see them fully illuminated with floodlights as well - WTF!

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

Yes, they have to have something to spend our hard earned money on!

Floodlights - you get the 'full' benefit 24/7

SJ_Skyline

The lazy *********** didn't come out to empty the bins last Friday. The council says that there were health and safety issues with the snow...

There were no health and safety issues when this country built an empire FFS!

scoobynutta555

They should publish everything in English and let them get on with it. The amount of money wasted on translations is obscene. Out local council 'has' to publish everything in every language going. Apparently a big excuse for being unemployed for some people is not knowing the language, well tough sh1te learn it, it's only the most widely spoken language in the whole bloody world!

Gordo

This is all part of New Labour reducing funding of local councils, effectively increasing stealth taxes.

We're already at record levels of tax - I guess there's so little push back from the electorate in our sham of a democracy there's no reason they shouldn't keep increasing the take even further

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

True although its a lib dem run council it has a lot to do with central government funding being reduced.
Although we seem to have more than our fair share of gay,lesbian and trans gender support officers and helplines, yet they're on about shutting our local library.

MiniShaz

Can anyone explain how your council tax band is assessed? I thought it was on house value, but my friend lives down the road in a 4-bed semi and is in band B (they paid £145k just over a year ago) and we are in a 3-bed detached in band C (we paid £143k two years ago)

TopBanana

Tax and spend - it's what socialists do. Shouldn't come as a surprise

Clarebabes

LOL, I had a WTF moment when I saw that too!

PeteBrant

It is based on property value - Not at current market prices, but at market prices on 1st April 1991.

Council Tax - who pays and how much : Directgov - Money, tax and benefits

MiniShaz

Neither of our houses were built then! Still don't get how she has a bigger house but is a band lower.

lightning101

Most council properties regardless of size were classed as band A/B in keeping with 1991 valuations

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

The Northampton County Council chairman has just announced he's opting for early retirement at 52 years of age. He's on about £220k a year. Prolly only been there 3-4 years (whereby has made ZERO improvements) so he's made his money, prolly got a lovely final salary pension out of it as well...

I have to deal with the council near enough every week. For the last 18 months every single person that was of some help (as much as council members are) has left. Now whenever I phone, I just get voicemail. I believe most that have left have started up by themselves and now work as consultants to the council, earning much more to boot I'd imagine!

Clarebabes

I work very near that monstrosity they put in the town centre up near the top - you know, the thing with the naked people on top.

Bloody waste of money that is too.

The Zohan

Hi Clare & Neanderthal

Its such a shame that this is the case and we all foot the bill for it.

I had a friend who worked for NBC as a consultant for a while bought into sort out one department that was loosing money hand over fist due to not recharging services back to other councils because they could not be bothered with thall the paperwork this had gone of for 36 months and cost in excess of £ 250,000+. In the end she left after six months as she was stonewalled and got no help or co-operation for the people involved or support for the people who bought her in!

Jenny worked there for a while and was shocked having worked in the private sector all her working life.
People off long-term sick for 12+ months, absenteeism rife and no-one dared say a thing, real jobs-worths and ability/suitablilty not taken into cosideration when promoting or employing from within just how long you had been there.

She temped there for 2 month and got a proper job!

al4x1

as stated its based on 91 valuations and made up after that if the property was built after 91. If you think its wrong you have 6 months from moving in to lodge an appeal and they will inspect and possibly lower your rate.
We just did this with ours and got dropped down a band from G which is very painfull. Funniest thing being they backdated a refund back to 91 on all council tax paid and sent the previous owner a cheque

MiniShaz

Had been in the property for 18 months when the discussion with my friend took place - clever council, putting a time-limit on stuff. (to SKDC)

al4x1

when you move tell the next people to contest it as the neighbours is less and if they win you'll get the difference paid back for as long as you've been paying it