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Council Tax 2013/14
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Sherwood


Posts: 1,413
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #1
20-02-2013 12:58 PM

Mayor Bullock proposes a council tax increase of 1.75%.

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Deano


Posts: 179
Joined: Oct 2011
Post: #2
23-02-2013 07:01 AM

Conveniently just below the 2 per cent at which he'd have to have a referrendum to justify it. Why aren't they actually cutting costs like everyone else?

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thenutfield


Posts: 235
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #3
25-02-2013 02:02 PM

Deano, I suggest you ask children, old people, road users, park users, people with refuse that needs collecting, people with support needs and just about everyone else in the borough why the council is not cutting the council tax - because we all want and need our services and those services cost money.

We do have a referendum - its called Local Elections, and the labour party (plus the mayor) get elected every time in Lewisham, so noone can say they dont have a democratic mandate.

You can have your cut - which might save you £10 or £20 per year (based on a 1 or 2% cut on a £1,000 council tax bill), but then you dont get the swimming pool, or the library, or the roads swept, or the social workers to keep vulnerable children safe.........

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Deano


Posts: 179
Joined: Oct 2011
Post: #4
25-02-2013 09:11 PM

I'm sorry that you have such a dismissive attitude Nutfield. Why can't I question the fact that our local council is increasing its tax at a time when most people are cutting their own family budgets? Why can't I also question why they (along with other Councils) have kept their increases to below 2%, the trigger at which they'd have to justify it to us in a referrendum? Lambeth are freezing tax. Southwark are freezing tax. Kent and Essex are freezing tax. Us poor Lewishamites have to fork out 1.75% extra. Still, at least I had my copy of Lewisham Life posted through the door yesterday. I am so grateful that the Council still has money for these essential services. At least I can cut it up and use it for toilet paper I guess.

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jollyrog


Posts: 83
Joined: Jul 2008
Post: #5
27-02-2013 07:54 AM

Quote:
You can have your cut - which might save you £10 or £20 per year (based on a 1 or 2% cut on a £1,000 council tax bill), but then you dont get the swimming pool, or the library, or the roads swept, or the social workers to keep vulnerable children safe

I'd like a Council Tax freeze or reduction too, but I don't want to lose any of the services you mention.

I've had a look at the 2012/13 Lewisham budget and can see many millions spent on things like "Cultural Services" and "Community Development". I could do without those. They look like optional extras, that people should pay for on a per-use basis, if they want that kind of thing.

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Deano


Posts: 179
Joined: Oct 2011
Post: #6
27-02-2013 10:21 PM

Quite!

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