Haringey makes landmark pledge of four-year freeze in council tax

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 26, 2014 at 13:19

"Critics have suggested that many councils had made a political, rather than financial, decision in the run-up to the London local elections."

and

"Residents of the UK’s richest borough - Kensington & Chelsea - are to receive a one-off £100 council tax rebate after the town hall exceeded its efficiency targets, while Croydon is offering a £25 rebate."

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 26, 2014 at 15:01

Not many people appreciate this but there is a council tax CAP because it's supposed to be a tax that pays for services (this is also why there is a single occupier discount and no tax payable on unoccupied properties). So someone in Muswell Hill in a £3,000,000 home does not pay 10 times as much as someone in Tottenham in a £300,000 home. In fact, they don't pay much more at all. Don't expect rebanding and don't expect this CAP to be moved but my wouldn't it help solve some problems in Haringey.

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Permalink Reply by vaneska on February 26, 2014 at 15:21

You might want to check your facts over the no tax payable on unoccupied properties assertion.  Have a look at page 16 of this blathery document.

v

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on February 26, 2014 at 15:28

Thanks Vaneksa. Interesting... so does anyone else think that the previous argument against using the council tax to even out inequalities in Haringey, namely that it is solely a tax to pay for services used, is a little weaker?

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