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Surrey confirms plans to raise council tax by 15%, What would you vote if West Berks did the same? |
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Feb 10 2017, 01:45 AM
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QUOTE (Biker1 @ Feb 9 2017, 08:42 PM) Well there you go! No need for a referendum here, just hit 'em with the max. we can. 5%? - wish my income would go up by that much! 3.99% last year too!
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Feb 10 2017, 06:05 AM
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QUOTE (Andy Capp @ Feb 10 2017, 02:45 AM) 3.99% last year too! Yes and that! Bottomless pit of money sitting spare with the working, tax paying population so it would seem. Wish I had that to draw on!
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Feb 12 2017, 08:12 AM
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QUOTE (user23 @ Feb 11 2017, 01:05 PM) Umm. I wonder what will be done to 'plug the funding gap' when business rates are taken from the Givernment's purse? Is this not simply robbing Peter to pay Paul?
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Feb 12 2017, 09:35 AM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Feb 12 2017, 08:12 AM) Umm. I wonder what will be done to 'plug the funding gap' when business rates are taken from the Givernment's purse? Is this not simply robbing Peter to pay Paul? Who's planning to take Business Rates from the Government's purse?
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Feb 12 2017, 03:02 PM
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QUOTE (user23 @ Feb 12 2017, 09:35 AM) Who's planning to take Business Rates from the Government's purse? Well, presumably the business rate in Surrey is being paid to someone? That someone isn't going to be too pleased are they?
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Feb 12 2017, 03:49 PM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Feb 12 2017, 03:02 PM) Well, presumably the business rate in Surrey is being paid to someone? That someone isn't going to be too pleased are they? I don't think they're going to be reassigned from a specific Government department to Surrey, no, but I see what you mean, Government won't be able to spend the money they give to Surrey. It's really a drop in the ocean in terms of something like the defence budget though.
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Feb 12 2017, 06:32 PM
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QUOTE (user23 @ Feb 12 2017, 03:49 PM) I don't think they're going to be reassigned from a specific Government department to Surrey, no, but I see what you mean, Government won't be able to spend the money they give to Surrey.
It's really a drop in the ocean in terms of something like the defence budget though. Yes, I'd agree with all that. Its like throwing herrings to seals, keeps them happy for awhile. It the government really believed in 'localism', they'd keep right out of local government financing, which won't happen anytime soon.
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Feb 12 2017, 07:30 PM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Feb 12 2017, 06:32 PM) Yes, I'd agree with all that. Its like throwing herrings to seals, keeps them happy for awhile. It the government really believed in 'localism', they'd keep right out of local government financing, which won't happen anytime soon. By letting councils keep their Business Rates they are exerting less control over local government financing, as you suggest should happen.
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Feb 12 2017, 08:06 PM
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QUOTE (user23 @ Feb 12 2017, 07:30 PM) By letting councils keep their Business Rates they are exerting less control over local government financing, as you suggest should happen. Oh yes, but of course! So once it happens for ALL the Councils nationwide all our troubles will be over. We can reverse the cuts, solve the bed blocking by hospitalised OAPs, fully staff the libraries, open the lavatories and enjoy a hog roast from the pigs shot down as they fly over the Kennet. Bring it on! (I wonder if the 'expertise' we've had to let go can be tempted back?)
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Feb 12 2017, 09:12 PM
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QUOTE (Turin Machine @ Feb 12 2017, 06:56 PM) It's like feeding strawberries to donkeys! I rather like donkeys.
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Right an injustice - give Simon Kirby his allotment back!
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Feb 12 2017, 10:14 PM
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QUOTE (Simon Kirby @ Feb 12 2017, 09:12 PM) I rather like donkeys. Lucky you ,enough of them in the council.
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Gammon. And proud!
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Feb 13 2017, 02:41 PM
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QUOTE (user23 @ Feb 12 2017, 03:49 PM) I don't think they're going to be reassigned from a specific Government department to Surrey, no, but I see what you mean, Government won't be able to spend the money they give to Surrey.
It's really a drop in the ocean in terms of something like the defence budget though. £23billion is well under the defence budget, but it's more like a drop in a cup than a drop in an ocean.
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Feb 13 2017, 02:50 PM
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QUOTE (On the edge @ Feb 12 2017, 08:06 PM) Oh yes, but of course! So once it happens for ALL the Councils nationwide all our troubles will be over. We can reverse the cuts, solve the bed blocking by hospitalised OAPs, fully staff the libraries, open the lavatories and enjoy a hog roast from the pigs shot down as they fly over the Kennet. Districts like West Berks will indeed be rolling in it - other councils will still be dependent on the whims of central government grants. The post code lottery will be in full swing - there's every chance that West Berks could become a retirement hotspot owing to the cash available to spend on elderly care.
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Feb 13 2017, 04:26 PM
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QUOTE (blackdog @ Feb 13 2017, 02:50 PM) Districts like West Berks will indeed be rolling in it - other councils will still be dependent on the whims of central government grants. The post code lottery will be in full swing - there's every chance that West Berks could become a retirement hotspot owing to the cash available to spend on elderly care. Quite; essentially to pay for insured social services! No issue with that and in some ways it makes local 'government' even more superfluous and pointless. West Berks being a retirement hotspot / final commute dormitory suburb should come as no surprise - that's what the WBC vision is all about. Some chap on Radio this morning was making a very strong case for centralised waste management. Won't be too long now before someone notices that the 'central establishment' against what is really done by WBC is wholly out of balance. What next, volunteer CEO? Serious point, with all the affluent retirees we are expecting.
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Feb 14 2017, 11:10 AM
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QUOTE (blackdog @ Feb 13 2017, 05:55 PM) Had a rootle on google.
It seems that the £23 billion raised by the business rates would more than pay for adult social care (£18.2 billion at its peak).
West Berks collects about £83 million in business rates (2016/17) and currently keeps around £18 million. They also get government grants totalling around £17 million. Assuming they lose all the grants and retain all the rates they will have £48 million a year extra to spend. Not bad on a £120 million budget.
However, it still wouldn't raise the amount they spend per head of population up to the current level of poor old Surrey's spending! Fine. So, there is at least £48 million in the Government's safe just waiting to be spent? Being of simple mind, that must surely mean someone has been telling lies about this need for austerity or someone is going to be very unhappy about losing their grants and other government bounty. I wonder which it is? NB - a consortium of big retaillers is presently heavily lobbying HMG to try and stop the transfer of business rates, fearful that local councils will increase the charges so reducing the attraction of High Streets still further. As if!
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