THERE have been many interesting letters in the Review to do with council tax.
Many, like myself, have experienced both systems, the community charge and council tax.
The community charge which the Labour Party, when in opposition, together with the Liberal Democrats, referred to as the poll tax was condemned.
Had this system been well thought out before hand it would have been a far better system than the council tax now is.
Why? Because it included all above the age of 18, whether they paid income tax or otherwise.
The present system is directly solely at property owners and tenants, leaving out all others who, whilst they may be earning big wages and paying income tax, do not pay council tax yet enjoy all the services which the council provides.
This leaves many with money for drink and drugs and time to consider car theft, arson and much of the damage throughout the country.They do not have to pay for it but the council does.
Let us also bear in mind that council tax is payable out of taxable income so in the case of pensions for instance, whatever is received in the way of pension or interest on savings, becomes a double tax.
Year on year the council tax has increased ahead of pensions and we have been told that now a bigger rise can be expected again.
Unless the Government can be persuaded to put a ceiling on what pensioners have to pay what value can be gained by taking coach loads to Westminster to press for an increase in pension?
Considering the time the Labour Party has had in office and the opposition the Liberal Democrats had to the poll tax, neither of them have found a better way of running the country.
One thing is certain and that is that unless these costs are directed towards all who receive the benefits from local government, they will fail. – Colefordian (name and address supplied).