Well I think I would disagree there on moreor less every point you make. I thinkit is very much the roleof a local authority to champion those issues which without there support would not find an outlet. Even those which whom I disagree. SO if a few pounds of my council tax is going each year to support unfashonable causes well done Local AUthority I say. HG Ratepayers or at lease there Leader Peter Burns are good people but make no mistake they have an organisation several thousands strong and operate effectivley as the leading political party of the area. Independents might sound attractive buy they often no philosphy or underlying principles. All there interested in is not paying their fair share and NIMBYism and usually disappear very quickly.
I would love to see a local income taxand indeed site value rating but do remember that we locally contribute very little to our councils budget over 70% of it coming directly from Westminster.
As for the BBC the frezzing of the TV licence is a disgrace the board of govenors were shocking the way they rolled over. We pay a tiny amount for an outstanding service (Royal simmpering apart) It could be doubled and still be good value.
I can’t agree with you there Wheels. The State (be that local or National) should only get involved where the market fails to allocate resources in a manner that is good for society. To that end, yes it should provide education, defence, a legal framework, streetlighting etc but it shouldn’t be running a road haulage company, a travel agent or telly company – a free democratic nation doesn’t really need a state broadcasting propaganda machine, especially when it crowds out private investment.
I’m aware that the majority of funding comes from the treasury but I think this is wrong too. Where is the accountability, why should a taxpayer in a good responsible local authority area pay for some hey nonny nonny project dreamed up by a Labour councillor. I say that all taxation should be raised locally to meet local demands through a local income tax. That way, the next time Dickie Leese’ mob spend £3m on a brochure for an unworkable transport scheme, only those who voted the dafty in should pay for his indulgences, moreover, they will know for next time that the reason why their local Library etc is closing is because the people voted in had made a mistake.
Business rates are wrong too, we pay regardless of making a profit. If the busienss fails, the owner of the premises still has to pa .There is no incentive for the local authority to provide an environment for business to do well as it gets paid in any case. Considering that onlybusiness can provide real sustainable employment, it's crazy that local authorities have no incentive to assist business. A local corporation tax would ensure that local authorities need business to make as much money as possible to maximise their own tax revenues.
I know a lot of people defend that BBC as good value, of course it is if you are well off, have a number of HD TV’s in your large band F house. Also if you have multi- platform multimedia products, you will find the flat tax as good value. It’s not such good value for the low paid chap who struggles to buy a £30 TV and then finds he has to earn £220 to pay for the right to sit that £30 TV in the corner of his front room – Far better to have adverts where the consumer on the basis of time they spend watching, for those who really don’t want shake & vac but prefer to see the gap filled in with blokes doing wheelies in wheelchairs or feature film length trailers for upcoming episodes of strictly dancing, the voice etc then digital TV would allow those folks to pay for subscription. In any case, the TV tax also will become uncollectable, my brother lives in Hong Kong and receives all the BBC content for free. Furthermore, a proper independent BBC would make a fortune competing across the world and create corporation tax revenue rather than being a tax on the most vulnerable. If the govt acts quickly, the revenues raised in the sale of the BBC could help ease the deficit and help correct the work of the Scottish PM.
