Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

You did, and they are, but you haven't represented them in your post.

Nigel commented about dog fouling and petty crime. The article does not state if Hyndburn have used the powers for petty or serious. Fact. You enjoy kicking up a fuss if it mentioned HBC whether they be to blame or not don't you. ;)

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

They would not necessarily be getting rebates on Council Tax. It is also dependent on total household income, any savings etc.

You seem to be incapable of grasping just how poor many of the residents of Hyndburn are. Hyndburn has the 2nd lowest weekly/annual wages in the county - only Blackpool is marginally lower, which is probably due to the seasonal jobs in Blackpool.

I know that East Lancashire (OR Penine Lancashire as it is being styled in some quarters) as all is a 'low wage' area, but wehn you compare all the other boroughs, Hyndburn is over £1000 below the next lowest borough for wages -which is Rossendale.
Borough Median
Annual Weekly
Wages in 2007 Wages in 2007
Hyndburn £15282 £287.40
Rossendale £16298 £289.40
Burnley £17232 £308.50
Pendle £18196 £352.80
Blackburn £18284 £354.20
Ribble Valley £20066 £391.90

The GB average is £376.00 per week so Hyndburn's average is £88.60 lower than the National average (which means it is only 76.43% of the Natioanl average wage).

I am pretty sure that the same pattern of both full time and part time work exsists throughout East Lancashire, so it is valid to compare all the 6 Boroughs.

You can very easily check the figures yourself, as I have given you the link to the website.

You are quite incapable of accepting that anyone else has a valid opionion, which is a trait that you share with Peter Britcliffe. Maybe wages would be higher in Hyndburn if he had paid more attention to bringing new inward investment into the borough in 2007, rather than concnetrating his efforts on changing the name of the borough.

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Andrew....You have got to realise, the second line of defense is an attempt to ridicule.....Take no notice.

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

This is why I've kept with percentage increases. I think it is very weak to argue that I am not capable of accepting other peoples opinion. I have accepted your figures, I accept Hyndburn is a low wage area, I accept what you're saying. However services still have to be paid for.

Do you accept it is good that in terms of PERCENTAGE increase 45% is very good compared with the national percentage increase of 100% and with a maximum of 185%?

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Rather than questioning the amount of Council Tax that is being levied, you would do better to question the present administration about what they have spent all the Goverment money that has been ploughed into the borough over the last 3 years on. Just how much of this has been wasted. How much has been spent in the areas, where there is most deprivation? Also why have they spent so much time on the proposed name change, which could have been spent on attracting 'quality' jobs to the borough.

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

I like to add a little balance.

No more than a little balance is necessary, as your attempt at propoganda, that HBC are good value for money, simply isn't washing.

Certainly not with the people that are actually paying it, unlike you, and who therefore have a better understanding of how hard they have to work to earn the money to pay their Council Tax, weighed against the services they receive back.;)

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Oh, so that's what Andrew was trying to convince us of all along, I hadn't quite got that! :D

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

I think you misunderstand. I live in a house that is taxed by the council. There is no propaganda, simply putting it as it is. My post didn't claim they were the wonderful and best-est council in the world, it simply gave information I had researched. I am quite happy to be critical of HBC, and if your article about spying powers had claimed HBC had used them for crimes such as dog fouling (which might well be true, we don't know), I would be up in arms.

It was then jumped on by mostly Labour Councillors to have a go at how terrible the council they are apart of is. The same councillors who cannot accept that 45% increase in council tax is considerably better than 100% national average and 185% high. I am glad claims of it being the most expensive council tax in the country have stopped being called though. It's quite evident from my first post that this is not the case.

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

I just wonder if you would be so supportive of a Labour council, I think not somehow. Time to take the blinkers off methinks:rolleyes:

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Who are you adressing?

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

AndrewB who else?;)

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

If a Labour Council were to produce 45% increase over 10 years while the national average was 100% I would be perfectly happy to give credit where it is due. I can tell you that honestly. Although I somehow doubt it would be the case as up until recently every opposition (Labour) budget has increased council tax higher than the Conservative one.

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Don't know...not a mind reader.......If you want to quote a statement I would be much obliged....but it general terms...it could be anyone.

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Anybody who has something constructive to say I grant you, all you are doing on this thread is trying to ridicule Garinda!!!

Re: Council Tax 2008/2009
 

Some people have the ability to make themselves look ridiculous, without any help from me at all.:D