The dreaded Council Tax

EdInvestor

Contributions to private sector schemes are paid for out of profits - not out of taxpayers pockets.

Are council and Government workers not also taxpayers?In all cases pension contributions are a part of employees' salaries and benefits packages. Local government employees get paid for providing public services which the Government/councils decide should be provided on the basis of what you vote for in elections.

If you think the services provided are unnecessary/too expensive/ not properly targetted at the local population, or the fund raising system is wrongly designed, then use your vote (millions can;t be bothered), or get politically active at your local level - don't attack individual public sector workers on bulletin boards..

But do be careful what you wish for - the Government spending/consumption sector accounts for about a third of the growth in the UK economy. If you deprive it of funding, the damage will affect everyone's prosperity.

Mike_S_8

EdInvestor wrote:

But do be careful what you wish for ...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2090-1828372,00.html

http://www.adamsmith.org/cissues/industry-and-employment/costingjobs.htm

http://blitheringbunny.com/archives/2005/05/12/the-non-jobs-that-you-pay-for/

On page 46 (page 48 in the pdf) of the document at:- https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/psgos_youth_service_final_report.pdf Nottingham decided to "Recruit and appoint a Creative Room Energizer "

Mike_S_8

EdInvestor wrote:

... use your vote (millions can;t be bothered), or get politically active at your local level - don't attack individual public sector workers on bulletin boards.

I do; I am (but from "outside the tent"), and I don't (It's the system that allows these excesses that is at fault). That said, there are some individual cases that need exposure. See:

THIS ,

THIS and

THIS

Mike_S_8

This thread apears to have died.

No doubt it - or a clone of it - will appear when the new (and increased) CT bills pop through the letter-boxes next March.

margaretclare

Hi MikeS

Did you happen to notice the number of 'diversity officers' who received awards in the New Year's Honours List?

What the heck is a 'diversity officer' and why do we need them, let alone the Queen giving them awards?

Margaret

buxtonrabbitgreen

I hate council tax. When I bought my house 18 years ago the ratable value was £120 a year my council tax (in a shire) is £120 a month, work out the rate of inflation on that. Poll tax was NOT fair. at that time I was a single parent out of work, my 2 sons were on YTS ( also the work of the devil) taking home £27 a week and still having to pay poll tax. I dont have any definitive answer but it does seem to me that it would be fairer as an income tax ( I am in full time work by the way) . That would be similar to the way poll tax worked but would depend on the ability to pay.

Mike_S_8

:exclamati

margaretclare wrote:

Hi MikeS

Did you happen to notice the number of 'diversity officers' who received awards in the New Year's Honours List?

What the heck is a 'diversity officer' and why do we need them, let alone the Queen giving them awards?

Margaret

No - Sorry - Missed that, and I haven't a clue what the job entails. But - to add to the list of similarly vague jobs - I have discovered that our County Council (Hampshire) has advertised for an Assistant Director, Well-Being and Community Services at a salary of Up to £85,000

I have no idea what one of those is either, but have asked the Leader of the Council for the job spec.

EDIT: If they are advertising for an Assistant - I suppose it's safe to assume they already have a full-blown Director -- on even more money !

[Deleted User]

I did some sums yesterday as my dh is retiring in three months and I need to get the money organised. Council tax is way the biggest monthly outgoing at £154 for a townhouse. It`s daylight robbery

My dh sometimes has to go to the council offices on business and he is fed up with seeing most of the employees just sitting there chatting to each other

melbury

kittie wrote:

I did some sums yesterday as my dh is retiring in three months and I need to get the money organised. Council tax is way the biggest monthly outgoing at £154 for a townhouse. It`s daylight robbery

My dh sometimes has to go to the council offices on business and he is fed up with seeing most of the employees just sitting there chatting to each other

Council offices should be located in wooden huts on the outskirts of town, not plush offices will all new equipment and furniture!

Mike_S_8

You can vote to have CT reformed here: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/FAIRCOUNCILTAX/

Please pass this link on.