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Worrying news over council tax
A RATHER negative topic for this week's column, I'm afraid. It's not because there is an autumnal feel in the air and that summer really does seem to be over that I'm striking a downbeat note – it's because worrying news has emerged about Government plans for a council tax revaluation after the next general election.
Wales experienced a revaluation back in 2005 and I am sure, readers, that you will be able to predict the outcome – yes, four times as many houses moved up a tax band as down.
Not pleasant news for people struggling to pay ever-increasing bills.
What will this mean for householders? Can we predict how we might be specially affected?
Well, the answer's yes. Leaked Government presentations have revealed how the features of every home are currently being recorded and entered into a new database.
The council tax banding of every home will then be recalculated – with numbers of bedrooms, bathrooms and floors being key factors.
Readers with 'architectural styles', fascias, sash windows or those who live in quiet roads, near a field or a golf course, will be targeted. Not to mention those who indulge in the luxury of a patio.
Conservatories will be out of favour – particularly if they are double glazed – as will people with two or more garage spaces. Views have also been broken down to sea (full/partial), hill (full/partial), lake (full/partial), field and golf course (full/partial!) – with residents being penalised accordingly.
Based on these criteria, homes in the Horsham district that move from Band D to Band E will go from a bill of 1,443 to a bill of 1,763 – an increase of 321.
Don't forget this will affect those renting as well as those who own their own home. It will also affect people who have lived in their homes for decades and who may already be struggling to pay soaring council tax bills on a fixed income.
It's also crucial to note that if council tax revenues increase, Horsham District Council, for example, would receive less government grant as a result – meaning the tax rise would effectively be pocketed by Whitehall!
Introducing this change after the next general election is an appalling way to address Gordon Brown's empty coffers.
I don't often write a party political column but I make no apologies for doing so this week.
It's deeply worrying and the Government should be forced to come clean about it – these plans would have a devastating impact on people in all walks of life and different stages in life whose only crime is to have a nice view of the Sussex countryside or to have a patio on which they enjoy the odd summer barbecue.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
