Council tax hikes

I feel I must remonstrate with many of those who commented on the recent increase in council tax precept approved by Ilminster Town Council. My response is particularly aimed at those who felt it was an opportunity to vent personal, unjustified, attacks on the Mayor, Carol Goodall.

I would not argue with the right to express a view but many of the comments were made from a position of ignorance, and I would suggest, personal self-interest.

One respondent asked ‘This extra tax will give me what?’ The short answer is nothing more than you’ve been getting. The truth of the matter is that previous town councillors refused to countenance an increase at a time when it would have been prudent to make small gains to ensure the fabric of the town is maintained.

In addition to this, there is the issue of the Town Council having to take up the slack to continue to provide services people have begun to expect as a right, which have been threatened as a result of cuts in both District and County funding. The government was only able to put a freeze on tax by cutting services. You can’t have it all.

The money is not going to the Town Council as has been suggested. It is being used by the Town Council to provide the services the people of the town have made it clear they wish to see retained. Contrary to popular belief, the Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee, David Miller, does not just make up the figures as he goes along.  This tough decision was reached after many, many hours of soul searching and consultation.

I am also aware that initiatives such as the MUGA are not for the benefit of all taxpayers, but then neither are benches on Herne Hill, or dog litter bins, to cite two examples.

I was mildly amused by the scathing remarks about ‘sink estates’. Does this person think the decline of these areas happened overnight? Not at all, it is the complacency of a righteous few that gradually allow the ‘frayed edges’ of communities to become the norm.

I would not deny that many will find the increase hard to bear, and nor do we expect the public to ‘click their fingers’ to find the extra cash. We take a deep breath, look at whether we are getting value for money and see where we, as individuals, can make savings to retain the standards we value.

I would ask many of those who made comment, ‘When was the last time you gave up your time and energy to help to improve our environment?’

At last count the average time spent on town council work amounts to around 10 hours per week per person, with the Mayor putting in many times that, for no personal gain.

As for comments about Mars bars, the Mars bar index is a well-known indicator of relative cost, and you can only buy a multi-pack if you’ve got the money to do so.