More authorities increasing council tax bills

IveSeenTheLight

from http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/mortgages/2013/02/more-authorities-increasing-council-tax-bills

More than 40% of local authorities across England will increase council tax bills, despite Government calls to freeze them, a survey has revealed today.
Among those who are increasing charges, the average rise is expected to be 1.1%. Taking into account councils who are freezing bills, this will lead to an average expected rise across England of 0.8%, says the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa).
This is almost three times last year's 0.3% increase and means an extra £11.74 on average for a Band D property.


However, there are significant regional variations. Households across Yorkshire and Humber can expect an average 1.2% rise – adding £16.30 to a Band D property bill – but in London, where bills went down on average last year, the increase is just 0.1%.
The Government promised English councils the cash equivalent of a 1% rise in return for freezing rates. Only 15% spurned the offer last year, but that number is up to 41% this year.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has ordered any council which seeks a rise of 2% or more to put it to a local referendum and has told those considering rises just short of that figure they are "cheating" taxpayers.
But town halls say unless they impose modest rises this year, they will be forced into more dramatic hikes in future.
Households will be able to spread their bills more evenly across the year, though. As MoneySavingExpert.com reported eariler this month, all households in England will be able to spread their council tax payments over the full tax year from April.
At the moment, many authorities only allow council tax to be paid in 10 instalments. Switching to 12 payments will make it easier to budget (see the Council tax bills can be spread over a year MSE News story).
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles says: "This survey confirms that council tax will effectively be frozen again this year, with an average change across England of just a mere 0.8%. This is a tax cut in real terms."

IronWolf

I wonder how many of those increasing taxes are Labour councils?

Kennyboy66

IronWolf wrote: »

I wonder how many of those increasing taxes are Labour councils?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9898477/Four-in-10-English-councils-to-increase-council-tax.html

From the Torygraph;

"Many of the councils that are increasing the tax are Conservative-led"

grizzly1911

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

from http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/mortgages/2013/02/more-authorities-increasing-council-tax-bills

I don't relly see how spreading it over 12 months helps deal with the amount of the bill. I appreciate it may give you leeway once to help spread the cost. for most I would expect they provide for the bill over 12 months anyway, reagrdless of the fact it is atken over 10.

I have just set up this years DDR so I can make use of the Santander 123 account. I was surprised by the LA telephone message, whilst waiting to be put through, that summons for non payment of the 2012/2103 council tax will be issued as of the 1st March. I know they have got targets but seems abit quick off the mark.

Despite having a staunchly right wing LA they maxed out on their increases through the labour years. Haven't received any notification for next year yet.

ukcarper

IronWolf wrote: »

I wonder how many of those increasing taxes are Labour councils?

My council is Tory and it is increasing it this year as it did last year

exarmydreamer

In our local paper tonight:

Vale of Glamorgan Council has decided on a 4.8% increase in Council Tax. The Vale has the lowest funding at council level in Wales.

There is a 7% precept increase by Labour's Police Commissioner.

Band D Council Tax for the Vale will rise from £940.05 in 2012/13 to £985.14 in 2013/14.

The police precept will increase the bill for this element of council tax rise from £169.92 to £181.28.

Council tax payers also pay for their town council, Barry town council has set the precept of £49.80.:( Is a labour council but I don't think it would really matter if it was or wasn't.

We here are led by the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, (who by the way, have frozen their council tax rise).

ukcarper

exarmydreamer wrote: »

In our local paper tonight:

Vale of Glamorgan Council has decided on a 4.8% increase in Council Tax. The Vale has the lowest funding at council level in Wales.

There is a 7% precept increase by Labour's Police Commissioner.

Band D Council Tax for the Vale will rise from £940.05 in 2012/13 to £985.14 in 2013/14.

The police precept will increase the bill for this element of council tax rise from £169.92 to £181.28.

Council tax payers also pay for their town council, Barry town council has set the precept of £49.80.:( Is a labour council but I don't think it would really matter if it was or wasn't.

We here are led by the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, (who by the way, have frozen their council tax rise).

Band D just under £1600 where I am.

stinktankcynic

Anyone able and on benefits and claiming council tax benefits etc should be obligated to work for the council in some capacity to pay for the benefit they get. If they cannot pay they should provide work up to that amount.

Final salary schemes are unfortunately unsustainable. Public sector should be changed to NEST. Or all private sector should be allowed a public sector pension option. You cannot expect council tax payers to fund public sector workers any longer.

Councils should use the unemployed as a resource that would reduce work bills, and pensions need to be addressed. Alternatively, get the private sector to run the councils, just like jails etc.

olly300

stinktankcynic wrote: »

Anyone able and on benefits and claiming council tax benefits etc should be obligated to work for the council in some capacity to pay for the benefit they get. If they cannot pay they should provide work up to that amount.

Final salary schemes are unfortunately unsustainable. Public sector should be changed to NEST. Or all private sector should be allowed a public sector pension option. You cannot expect council tax payers to fund public sector workers any longer.

Councils should use the unemployed as a resource that would reduce work bills, and pensions need to be addressed. Alternatively, get the private sector to run the councils, just like jails etc.

You really haven't thought your post through.

Most people are unemployed for less than 6 months.
The majority of those on council tax benefits of working age are in work in low paid jobs.
A large part of a councils money comes from central government
Central government has cut their grants to local councils

IveSeenTheLight

olly300 wrote: »

A large part of a councils money comes from central government
Central government has cut their grants to local councils

I've seen a lot of wastage over the years (fresh flowers every day, corporate lunches etc)
I'd be confident that you could strip out a lot of the unnecessary costs that councils spend.

grizzly1911

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

I've seen a lot of wastage over the years (fresh flowers every day, corporate lunches etc)
I'd be confident that you could strip out a lot of the unnecessary costs that councils spend.

No doubt you could and there is undoubtedly waste but something tells me fresh flowers and a few nibbles isn't the real problem. A drop in the ocean.

Swapping out bedding plants 3 - 4 times a year all round the borough though.