I am angry, very angry. I am also worried, very worried. What could be the cause of my anger and worry? Well, as reported on this site on Thursday my Council Tax bill will be increasing overall by 4.3% in the next year which is well above inflation and it could be a challenge to meet the increase. No doubt there are others in Wycombe in a similar situation.

It makes me angry that the Council Tax is rising at all considering the cutbacks in service we have endured over the years. The cutbacks are no more than increases by stealth. Don’t forget the other rises in living the citizens face such as the rise in parking charges earlier in the year. It seems the tax burden on Wycombe residents is spiralling out of control.

When deciding the increase I wonder if the prevailing economic climate, possible forthcoming recession and people’s ability to pay were considered. It may be easy for the great and good to decide the increase but that increase will have to be paid by the ordinary citizens leading ordinary lives.

So what will I get in return for paying the Council Tax? Well, my bin will be emptied and that’s about it. Assuming my house isn’t burgled or doesn’t burn down I will have no need for the police or fire brigade. There are no children in my household so the schools will be of no use to me and thanks to the wonder of the internet I no longer use libraries. It seems I shall be getting very little in return for paying the Council Tax.

Perhaps its time a radical re-think of the funding of local services was undertaken with an emphasis on providing cost effective services that deliver a reasonable level of service as and when we need them. What do you think?
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The author has left comments at 00.53, 19.24, 19.28, 21.18, 20.10 on 25/02/08 only. Any other comments left in the authors name are therefore NOT genuine.