tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247615769084489401.post4375132105566326286..comments2023-05-08T02:27:14.997-07:00Comments on Haringey Green Party Blog: Progressive Council Tax – Fairness in ActionMike Shaughnessyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796480031110991460noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247615769084489401.post-64284538156627866292013-08-18T16:45:36.257-07:002013-08-18T16:45:36.257-07:00As the architect of the scheme, I sent Geoffrey an...As the architect of the scheme, I sent Geoffrey an update on the specific proposals for HMOs, lodgers and joint tenancies. These iron out the problems that Geoffrey speaks of.<br /><br />For clarification, no-one will hit the threshold and be liable for a big increase. Any increases are on a sliding scale.<br /><br />A drawback of sharing income details with your partner is not considered a drawback for Working Family Tax Credits, Housing Benefits, Council Tax Benefit or a myriad of other benefits. It should not be one rule for the poor and another rule for the rich.<br /><br />No property can be unaffordable to rent under the scheme. It is complete nonsense. I don't think he's read the whole report.<br /><br />We either face stupid Daily Mail headlines of 200% (even though not true for 97%) or the party not being able to sell cuts any better than a policy which cuts tax for the majority.<br /><br />We are anti-cuts Geoffrey. We musn't do the dirty work of the government.<br /><br />Where this is a will there is a way.David Walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247615769084489401.post-35057676009364594092013-08-18T05:28:52.261-07:002013-08-18T05:28:52.261-07:00I can understand the scepticism here, you always g...I can understand the scepticism here, you always get that with a new idea, but this has been fully costed, including admin costs.<br /><br />Whether the voters will accept it? It would need a campaign to support it, through the trade unions and residents associations, but it is perfectly winnable.<br /><br />This has the potential to send shock waves throughout local government and even Westminster. Bring it on, I say. <br /><br />What's the alternative Geoffrey, just carry on like you are at present?Mike Shaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16796480031110991460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8247615769084489401.post-56082761319082914862013-08-17T23:26:34.149-07:002013-08-17T23:26:34.149-07:00As a Green councillor in Brighton and Hove I am no...As a Green councillor in Brighton and Hove I am not in favour of this idea. Around 25% of households in the city are HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) and rental prices are such that most young and low paid people are forced to share. A household where 3 or 4 people on low incomes are sharing could easily trigger the PCT £50,000 combined household earnings threshold, and, according to the architect of the scheme, this will hike up the council tax by 200%. <br /><br />Then there will be situations when a group renting a property whose combined incomes are just beneath the PCT accelerator threshold, but in order to afford the rent they need to fill the final bedroom. However, by doing so it will whack up the council tax and make the property unaffordable to rent.<br /><br />Another drawback of this scheme is where couples living together do not necessarily wish to reveal their earnings to each other. This intrusive means-tested scheme will force them to do just that.<br /><br />Even our MP has conceded that we won't win the referendum needed to implement this idea, which will not only mean that we have gratuitously wasted £250,000 of tax payers' money cynically testing an idea that we knew no one would buy into, we will have handed opposition parties a huge stick with which to beat us. All voters will recall, as they enter the polling booth in 2015, is that Greens want to hike up council tax by 200%. We can whistle good bye to the only Green MP held seat!<br /><br />Geoffrey BowdenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com