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David's Diary |
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Devolving power from Whitehall to the Town Hall
14/11/2007
If councils want to put up Council Tax by a high level, they should have a local referendum. On Tuesday, I was at the Young Foundation to speak about replacing beauraucratic control with democratic accountability.
Posted by tonymakara 14/11/2007 14:18:37
Subject: Turning off the tap
This announcement will have send shock waves through every wasteful council in the land. Hopefully the fear of facing a local referendum will serve to bring a degree of self-discipline to council spending. We all want good public services, and local councils already have more than enough revenue to provide those services. So its always a mystery as to why they come back to the taxpayer so often asking for more. Now they will be held accountable. A great move.
Posted by Matthew 14/11/2007 14:42:28
Subject: Problem
I'm troubled by these proposals. Yes they sound good in theory - power to the people etc. Sometimes councils are justified in charging more money. But it is unlikely that an electorate would take an objective or rational view and would be most likely to vote on instinct i.e. vote to prevent even more person income being taxed. Are we really expecting people to weigh up all the data set out before councillors when they come to go to the ballot box?
Posted by scrubsupwell 14/11/2007 23:25:17
Subject: Lets weigh Up Data
Yes of course we must 'weigh up' data. Such a small price to pay for such a visionary idea.
We need to look a bit more closely at councils and I see a new website on the horizon they will have the tools to do this for you, me and even my nan who thinks computers are still run by 'punch cards';-) so that we do not have to rely on instinct or 'he's a nice boy/girl' syndrome. Rejoice! as Tony says this is a 'great move'. Yips, all I have to do now is think of ways to fill our ancient/beautiful churches.
Posted by canvas 15/11/2007 16:17:56
Subject: direct democracy
We have had many in-depth discussions about direct democracy previously on Webcameron. There are many pros - and many cons...
I feel like the Tories aren't really addressing the problem of current Council Tax increases.
I think DC might be avoiding 'the difficult questions' surrounding the ever-increasing council tax charges.
I don't think we should let DC and the Tories off the hook so easily...
We want action.
Posted by Matthew 15/11/2007 20:06:43
Subject: Crazy tax
I think it's crazy that council tax is based on the value of your property, especially with the highly-inflated property prices. This doesn't affect me as a uni student but I would like to see this sorted out - have a local tax based on your income instead? At least that's starting to bring some fairness into the system. As far as i'm aware I don't think the Tories are proposing this unless the leader wants to state his view on this? Unlikely I suppose!
Posted by johnofgwent 15/11/2007 20:43:41
Subject: You preseume the council will listen to the people !
Well I can certainly see the local councils salivating at the thought of having central control of their overspending ways removed.
It will do an awful lot FOR westminster MP's who will be able to sidestep responsibility by using the bandwagon used now for matters "devolved" to wales (MP says 'don't blame me it's devolved to the AMs' and AM's counter 'don't blame me the funds for our devolved powers are controlled by MPs')
But you dream of a world where local councillors are answerable to the electorate.
Would we have bus lanes, fortnightly rubbish collection, £100 fines for extra bin bags, disabled people forced to pull down their conservatories, neverending roadworks and utter hatred of motorists in newport if the council were accountable to those who pay their salaries ? I think not. And that's why your pipe dream will never work.
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