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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Council tax bill - single persons discount

Hi

I just wanted to warn all those who live on their own, and claim the 25% single person discount to check their bill carefully this year. I opened mine, and on top is the usual bill - however, behind that there was a separate letter stating that Haringey Council are doing an audit - and if you don't fill in the form overleaf, and post it back to the council with a stamp, they will assume you now live with someone, and charge the full amount of tax!

I was outraged about this - it also looks like they are hiding the letter, a very good way of them making more money. I'm sure it's bound to trip up a few older, or more vulnerable people out there. 

Thanks

Ria

 

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Permalink Reply by Ria on March 22, 2011 at 22:07

I hadn't posted before, and the main reason for doing so was to make sure people did check their bills and highlight that you now have to reply confirming your status - as I haven't had to in the past five years. Glad a few of you have picked this up now, when you may have missed it.

 

 

Permalink Reply by John McMullan on March 22, 2011 at 22:30
I saw this a couple of times on Twitter today, lots of people have presumably seen it on here and more will see it in the weekly update, you did the right thing. Shame about all those residents who are not on Twitter or HoL eh? Perhaps there will be a special Haringey People article? Oh wait, that's not allowed to come out so often anymore...
Karen HeathPermalink Reply by Karen Heath on November 5, 2012 at 17:18

Could you quote the wording on this letter exactly, as it is hard to comment otherwise.

The point is that it is probably  not all discount recipients who have received one.  Often the council only sends out 'review' letters if they suspect there might be an inconsistency, and some of the forms included with these letters include very dodgy stuff which you are expected to sign to. 

Permalink Reply by Old-Age-Emporium(OAE) on March 22, 2011 at 23:19

This is such a tangled bureaucratic mess that it probably cannot be resolved before the issue of next year's Council tax package. Meanwhile may I make a modest proposal along the lines of our Big Society and Social Cohesion Initiatives here in Harringay, later to be rolled out across the Borough ?

If all single-occupancy dwellers with an expectation of a 25% discount could make themselves known here on HOL, I'm sure we could encourage them to pair up and houseshare, where possible in their present street unless they prefer a change of scene. This could all be accomplished over, say, a weekend. The advantages seem obvious: a) an assured 50% CT discount rather than an expected 25% discount for all those involved; b) the freeing up of 50% of what were till now single-occupancy properties, allowing untold First Time Buyers to get a foot on some choice rungs of the LADDER;  c) a welcome return to quiet indolence for all those Council officers who have been forced into unwonted busyness by Alan's recent letter to their Officers Commanding; d) an equally welcome ratcheting down of the paranoia that has siezed us since Ria opened her Council Tax brown envelope at 8.56 yesterday morning.

Simples. 

Permalink Reply by Kamila on April 5, 2011 at 10:00

Thanks Ria,

I also filed my guide because I pay by direct debit and did not notice this until I saw your post.  Even then, it took me a few weeks to dig out the stuff as it is a very busy time at the end of the financial year.  I have looked at it now and have written to my councillors and the Officer concerned about the way it was communicated.  It is a requirement I think to check this every so often and I have no objection to it but what I do object to is that there has been no campaign alerting us to the fact that this is about to happen.  The language in the letter is bureaucratic and threatening and the fact that you have to pay for a stamp and an envelope is really outrageous.  I am wondering if they did an Equality Impact Assessment on this policy as it could disadvantage older people living alone for whom English is not their first language.

Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on April 5, 2011 at 11:14

As I posted a fortnight ago, I emailed about this on 21 March to Ms Julie Parker, Director of Corporate Resources. The reply is now overdue and I've chased it.

Kamila, can I please suggest that, as well as posting on HoL, if you haven't already included them, you could also email your views to Ms Parker and to Cllr Joe Goldberg who has "cabinet" responsibilities for finance.

joe.goldberg@haringey.gov.uk

julie.parker@haringey.gov.uk

 

(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)

Permalink Reply by Kamila on April 5, 2011 at 11:27

Thanks,

 

I emailed the Council officer on the letter and also my councillors (I actually live in the next door ward Stroud Green).

 

Dear P Ellicott,

Although there are more contentious issues to write about, I am very disturbed by the fact that you have sent a letter written in quite threatening language warning people who live alone that they must sign a form or their Council Tax discount will be cancelled.  I pay my Council Tax by Direct Debit and therefore file the booklet away without really checking its contents.  I am sure there are similar people, especially older people living alone for whom English is not their first language, thus disadvantaging people on the basis of age and ethnic origin.  Did you do an Equality Impact Assessment on this policy?  I only looked inside the booklet when a friend warned me to fill this in, otherwise it would have gone unnoticed.
While I appreciate that you have to do this review, can you make it sound friendlier and not so threatening.  It is written in the most bureaucratic language and sounds awful.  Surely there is a friendlier way to say that "If I do not receive your form back by 30 April 2011 your discount will be cancelled."
I also REALLY OBJECT to having to pay for an envelope and a stamp to send the thing back - both these items are expensive.  At the very very least you should have issued a prepaid form.  I notice that you have a prepaid form for commenting on your guide which actually only makes matters worse in my opinion.
Am I being unduly cynical - are you hoping for a huge non response so that you can get all these 25% reductions back?
I have copied this to my councillors (thus wasting their free time) and I will be posting on my neighbourhood websites too.

Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on April 5, 2011 at 11:53

I hope and expect, Kamila, that your email has reached the right inbox.

But my suggestion to you and anyone else raising this issue would still be to add Joe Goldberg and Julie Parker. That leaves no doubt whatever that your criticisms and - crucially - suggestions for doing things better have been seen by people with authority to make changes.

Permalink Reply by Kamila on April 5, 2011 at 11:55
OK will do - thanks!!
Karen HeathPermalink Reply by Karen Heath on November 5, 2012 at 17:20

Letters in threatening and distressing language are typical of councils using credit reference information to a) confirm entitlement to a discount which does not exist and b) highlight other cases as potentially suspicious.    Once again, a copy of the actual wording would be helpful.

Permalink Reply by Sarah_24 on April 5, 2011 at 13:57

Hi there, I think this is a routine letter - I got one a few years ago but nothing arrived at all this year. I seem to only get my bill electronically and it definitely lists the single occupancy discount.

I am usually the first to be cynical, particularly where Harringey Council are involved but I think it is just making sure that records are up to date and everyone is paying what they should.

Permalink Reply by Kamila on April 5, 2011 at 15:10

Hi - yes I agree it is just a routine letter and I don't object to it - it's the threatening way it is written that is very bad and no publicity surrounding it.  I bet they get loads of non responses from people who don't read their bumph, they will make people pay the extra and then have to correct it when they complain - and if you didn't receive your letter.....!  This appears to me to be inefficient.

Wow receiving your bill electronically - I must investigate that one!!

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