Friday, November 11, 2005
Prescott's tax
Oppose Prescott's tax plans!
A few days ago I posted in this blog my concerns about "two jags'" plans to tax the view from your windows, I believe I managed to publish this story before the morning papers (use the link in the title to remind yourselves)
This appears to be another of Prescott's left hooks to the jaw of the Council taxpayers, and I am pleased to note that the Conservative Councillor for Cleadon Village and East Boldon, David Potts, (pictured in an ornate conservatory) concurs with my views on this point, he has kindly sent this release for inclusion in the blog;
Coun David Potts, this week criticised the plans by John Prescott to increase council taxes on homes with scenic views, patios, greenhouses, large garages and conservatories. The proposals were revealed in internal Whitehall documents on the forthcoming council tax revaluation in England.
The Government has so far spent £60 million on revaluation, of which an
estimated £45 million has paid for a new American computer system -
so-called 'Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal'. Conservatives have used
Parliamentary Questions to obtain the technical IT documents. They reveal that the Government is using it to collect a whole new range of 'value' indicators on individual homes. This in turn will allow the Government to impose higher council tax on properties with those indicators.
The new 'dwelling house codes' and 'value significance codes' being
collected include:
* Number of bedrooms.
* If located near a golf course, a conservation area; or with a view of a
sea, hills or lake.
* Conservatory type and size, including greenhouses and UPVC/hardwood
conservatories.
* Number of garage spaces and car parking spaces.
* Large patios or gardens.
Coun Potts explained,
"Under Mr Blair, council taxes across South Tyneside have already soared by 63 per cent - taking a typical bill to £1242 a year. Future hikes are on the way, engineered by Whitehall, in the form of the delayed - but not
cancelled - council tax revaluation.
"A new American computer system will allow John Prescott's bureaucrats to identify homes with garages, green houses, large patios or gardens, with scenic views or in a Conservation Area. This in turn will allow Labour to increase council tax on these homes, by pushing them into a higher council tax band.
"This is a sinister echo of the ancient 'windows tax', rather than a fair
charge for the use of local services. These plans are the ultimate stealth
tax - taxing those who have worked hard and improved their homes, and making council tax even more punishing for families and pensioners."
This does not make pleasant news at all for pensioners on the Lonnen with a stunning view over the whole of South Shields and the sea front from the front window, and views over the golf course and Cleadon Hills through the kitchen windows! Then there are thousands of people in the Horsley Hill Ward, Marsden and Whitburn Ward, and Beacon and Bents Ward, with equally great views over the coastline and riverside, perhaps the Labour Councillors for these areas ought to be urgently writing to Prescott opposing his foolhardy plans on behalf of hard presed South Tynesiders who only wish to pay for their services and NOT the view from the window!!
About Me
Curly Born in 1956
Sanddancer
Sunderland fan
Male
Retailer
Former Borough Councillor
View my Profile
Contact
Email Curly
south-shields AT
blueyonder DOT co DOT uk
Got a story?
Got a tip off?
Got some scandal?
Let me know!
07941386870
Search
Search this site
Comments
How do I make a comment on this blog?
Links
Curly's Corner Shop website
Curly's Photoshop
My Message Board
Shields photo gallery
RTG Message Board
Sunderland AFC Blog
Site Feed
Blogroll Me!
Past
December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007