Council tax

SiliconChip

Montybell1 said:

Hi the council tax is forever an easy go to for local councils to rise each year, does anybody know how to set up a public debate to stop them increasing it in 2024, or you you contact to get it put to a public vote or is it that they can keep putting it up every year with no come back 

You could emigrate to a country where there is no council tax or local equivalent and no services are provided. Perhaps that would suit you, although I wouldn't be surprised to find that it doesn't.

Montybell1

Well that’s stirred a pot.  I live in the most underfunded county in England, which is South Yorkshire, how about we raise income tax to boost local funding then reduce council tax to equal it out or perhaps make the local authorities more efficient and a price cap of £50,000 on management by the way when I asked my labour council about last years council tax increase they blamed the Conservative Party for it saying they had no choice but couldn’t say what they would do if they were in power I guess the will flip flop which ever way wind blows , then do nothing 

Brie

Is there something that you could do to make it more affordable for yourself?  Maybe you're entitled to a reduction due to low income?  Obviously not everyone is comfortable going down that route.

You did make me think though.....I'm in a temporary low income phase and the only earner in the household.  So our CT is currently 25% of my income.  Can't do nowt about it though as I have savings and am due to increase my income later this year in any case.

Montybell1

That’s what I’m saying it’s not equal 

Albermarle

Montybell1 said:

That’s what I’m saying it’s not equal 

But nothing ever is . For example my tax goes to subsidise the train services but I hardly ever get on one. Other peoples tax goes to fund an education system, when they have no children. Lots of other similar examples.

DAVEWHEELER

Hi there

My mother in law has just gone into full time care and her property is empty. I understand I can claim  zero council tax but what is the implication with my wife and her sister owning 75% of my mother in law's property

Andy_L

Montybell1 said:

Hi the council tax is forever an easy go to for local councils to rise each year, does anybody know how to set up a public debate to stop them increasing it in 2024, or you you contact to get it put to a public vote or is it that they can keep putting it up every year with no come back 

https://petition.parliament.uk/

https://home.38degrees.org.uk/

They have to have a vote if they want to increase it by more than 3%. Remind me, what was inflation this year?

elsien

DAVEWHEELER said:

Hi there

My mother in law has just gone into full time care and her property is empty. I understand I can claim  zero council tax but what is the implication with my wife and her sister owning 75% of my mother in law's property

Probably that it's not your mother in laws property if she only owns 25%.  You probably need to check that with your council.