Surrey confirms plans to raise council tax by 15%, What would you vote if West Berks did the same? Options

[Biker1]

Personally I would not vote for this unless I could scrutinise current council spending and be convinced that current taxes were being spent in what I would consider the right places and that the necessary economies had been made.
Comparing with a domestic situation, upon finding that your income did not meet your expenditure I find it unlikely that your employer would agree to a 15% pay rise?
You would instead have to reorganise your finances, yes?

[blackdog]

Localism in action! Transfer the tax burdon from corporations and high earners to council taxpayers whille issuing edicts from Whitehall to tell councils what they have to spend it on.

And when are they going to come good on their pledge to allow councils to keep all of their business rates?

[user23]

Localism in action! Transfer the tax burdon from corporations and high earners to council taxpayers whille issuing edicts from Whitehall to tell councils what they have to spend it on.

And when are they going to come good on their pledge to allow councils to keep all of their business rates?

Surrey County Council to take part in business rate pilot scheme to plug massive funding gaps

[On the edge]

Surrey County Council to take part in business rate pilot scheme to plug massive funding gaps

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?

[user23]

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?

[On the edge]

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?

[user23]

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.

[On the edge]

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.

[user23]

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.

[On the edge]

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?)

[blackdog]

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.

[On the edge]

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.