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Anger at tax 'con' plan by town hall
OPPONENTS to Fylde Council's controversial taxation proposals have slammed the plans as a "stealth tax" and a "con".
Differential taxation is a new method of taxation which town hall finance chiefs reckon will save the floundering authority 270,000.
The scheme will see parish councils take charge of open spaces and other non-essential council services and charge a fee for them in council tax bills.
But the borough council – which is set to increase council tax by 4.99 per cent this year – will keep government funding which would usually be spent on maintaining such amenities.
The new plan is set to be passed by Fylde Council's cabinet before going in front of the full council.
Fylde Council leader, Coun John Coombes, admits the plans are a new method of charging taxpayers more without breaching the Government's five per cent capping rate. He insists residents in some areas have been "getting away" with cheaper taxes for years.
But Coun Liz Oades, leader of the opposition, believes many parishes will be angry at the plan.
She added: "The town and parish councils will be charging for parks and cleaning the streets, but unless Fylde lower their rates people are going to be paying for the same services twice."
Council tax campaigner Fred Moor of St Annes said: "The council is trying to con money to bypass the Government's five per cent cap on council tax.
"They are saying that things like Ashton Gardens, Lowther Gardens, Fairhaven Lake are in those areas and only used by people in those areas whereas they are used by people throughout Fylde and visitors to the area.
"It's like saying only Londoners should pay for all the museums in the capital because they are only used by residents when everyone knows they are more used by visitors.
"They are looking at doing this because they are in such a mess with a massive hole in their budget. If they do try to bring this in we will challenge the legality of it."
But Coun Coombes reckons those in areas with more services have been paying less tax than they should.
He added: "All we have done is right an accounting error which has existed for 34 years.
"People in rural areas have been paying too much for that period.
"Some areas have been getting away with it and getting services cheaper."
With Differential Taxation, residents in Kirkham would see an extra 25 put on their bill while those living in Elswick face a 30 hike.
However, there would be some winners with people in Staining coming out around 19 better off.
As revealed in Saturday's Gazette, Fylde's public swimming pools in Kirkham and St Annes are set for closure. One may be saved but that would put other amenities such as Lowther Gardens or Fairhaven Lake under threat.
Even with Differential Taxation, the pools are still under threat, but council bosses hope that by bringing it in they will not have to start cutting other essential services.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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