April 8: Council Tax is unfair and unjust
Our councillors have been running true to form. Despite the fact that people have been losing their jobs or going on to short-term working, they have awarded themselves a large pay rise.
They then went on to contribute to one of the highest council tax rises in the country, accompanied by cuts in services which will cause real hardship.
I am a pensioner now in my 80s. My wife and I both worked for 51 years, in fact my wife still works part-time. During our working lives we were never on the dole and we never received state benefits of any kind. We both paid into small works pension schemes when we were able to, and thus, we are always just outside the state benefits net. Like many pensioners, we have to pay the full council tax bill.
Every year we get a small rise in the state pension to cover increases in the cost of living. A few days later, the council tax bill drops through the letter box, wiping out our rise, and taking a bit more besides.
How much longer can this totally unfair and unjust situation be allowed to continue? Why should we have to pay the same amount out of our tiny pensions as a household with two or three wage earners?
Margaret Thatcher got a lot of criticism when she introduced the poll tax, but it was in fact, a much fairer tax than the present system, which is based solely on property.
Everyone uses council services and therefore everyone should pay something towards them. Instead, many people pay nothing at all.
This must be the only country in the world which actually rewards people for being totally irresponsible. If you try to stand on your own two feet and help yourself in this country you will be punished for doing so by the Government.
The unfair and unjust council tax must be overturned and replaced by a fairer system which takes into account income and ability to pay.
Fred Middleton,
Grendon Walk, Northampton.
House owners are easy targets
AS a pensioner living alone, with a very limited budget, I was incensed to receive and forced by law to start overall increased payments of 4.3 per cent for council tax, at a time of low inflation/interest rates.
From this month, my annual amount due is 840 (after 240 off for sole occupancy), my biggest budget outlay.
I noted that the "demand" – an appropriate word – advised me that Northamptonshire Police had increased their charge by 4.5 per cent to take their share of the kitty to 13 per cent, whereas Northampton Borough Council only takes two per cent more at 15 per cent for all the services it provides.
So, because I was burgled 15 months ago and no-one bothered to show up after several phone calls or investigated the crime, plus I never see a police officer on my estate, and rarely a PCSO, I took a trip into Northampton town centre last Saturday night, on my free bus pass (one of the few benefits I receive for the charge) to see where the law enforcers are being deployed.
I was astounded to find umpteen coppers, standing in shop doorways, in twos, casually chatting, watching the drunken revellers staggering up and down Bridge Street.
It is high time for a complete rethink on this grossly unfair local tax. It needs to be incorporated into income tax, so that everyone with an income pays their share. The reduced administration costs would be enormous.
Why should I, out of my pittance, subsidise these people, awash with cash, just because I am a house owner, an easy target for collection of this outrageously unjust levy?
It is people who demand council services, not houses. So if all adult residents were compelled to contribute, the police could do the job they are paid for, to protect residents, as well as a cushy few hours in the town centre, every weekend, perhaps then we could rest easy in our beds and get the protection we pay for?
Keith Jackson,
Tavistock Close, Northampton.
Where council's charity cash went
Following the coverage in Monday's Chronicle & Echo regarding funding from Northamptonshire County Council for the Northampton Carnival, I believe it is worth making clear how the strategic funding programme is allocated.
This year we received applications totalling 2.4million for a fund of around 1.4million, so some difficult decisions had to be made. Decisions regarding funding allocations are made by the community funding cabinet committee with advice from the community funding advisory panel which includes members of the voluntary sector.
Examples of funding allocated include:
n Over 43,000 allocated to a range of other cultural projects such as the Northamptonshire Black History Association and Northamptonshire Open Studios and Exhibitions.
n 144,000 has been allocated to various domestic abuse and victim support schemes operating across Northamptonshire.
n Almost 200,000 will be used to help fund schemes aimed at young people.
n Almost 150,000 is being allocated to various schemes aimed at supporting older people and people with physical or learning disabilities.
n A further 212,000 will fund a list of transport initiatives including community minibuses and door-to-door schemes.
n Over 260,000 is being allocated to help fund advice and information services including citizen's advice bureaux.
Although in this funding round a decision was made not to give money to support the carnival, thousands of pounds are being allocated to other worthwhile projects and services that will benefit a lot of people, including some of the county's most vulnerable residents.
Councillor Ursula Jones,
Cabinet member for policy and partnerships, Northamptonshire County Council.
Market move will all end in tears
AS an experienced market trader of many years standing, I am always cynical about what councils and their expensive consultants try to do with our Market Square. It usually ends in tears, as I think the latest market move will do.
I might be wrong, of course, and I would be the first to shake Richard Church's hand if the market was flooded with shoppers coming in to see the events and spending good money on the market. We could certainly do with it. I'll believe it when I see it, like readers will.
Another thing which amazes me is the cry that goes up when it is suggested that bankers should not get high pay and absurdly big bonuses: "Our best talent will go abroad".
What talent are we talking about here, may I ask? The talent that has just got us into this mess?
E Fitzpatrick,
Ridgeway, Northampton.
Life for tenants made harder
April 3 was a sad day in the life of Northampton, although the reason why seems to have gone unnoticed by the media and the majority of the town's population.
This date saw the final closure of the Kingsthorpe and Weston Favell Housing offices and the start of long treks into the town centre for any tenant who wishes to pay rent, ask for repairs or seek advice.
As a borough councillor, I was a shadow chairman of a housing committee and have had many constituents call me on housing issues. At a time of economic downturn, the need for accessible council housing and advice is even more necessary. And yet, in Lib Dem-run Northampton, those in the best place to offer advice and support retreat to the Guildhall.
I know Kingsthorpe well (having been a teacher at Kingsthorpe Upper School) and so am clear that the changes which have been implemented will make the lives of council tenants harder, not easier.
Matthew J May,
Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, South Northants Constituency.
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