York Council set to change entitlement rules for Council Tax support

But how to pay for a fairer system beats most residents and the media

In 2014 the government forced the York Council to take responsibility for setting up a support scheme for residents who were unable to pay the full amount of Council Tax.  The then Labour Controlled Council set the level of support at 70% of the amount due. Around 7000 residents were hit by the change, with some as much as £700 a year worse off.

Many, who were otherwise living on benefits, had an extra £5 a week to find. Many were forced into debt with mounting arrears.

The 70% level was one of the harshest set in the country. Most Councils expected poor residents only to pay between 10% and 20% of their Council Tax bill.  The new Council decided to consult on whether the threshold should be raised and, if so, how the loss of income for the Council could be offset.

A survey of residents received only 453 replies (there are 87,000 homes in the City) but a majority (69%) said that a higher level of rebate should be implemented.

Advice agencies in the City are recommending a level of 83% which would mean that the Council would need to find savings – or additional income – of around £487,000 pa to fund the deficit.

That is the equivalent of a Council Tax increase of just over 0.6% for everyone in the City.

Where would the money come from?

The Council has been criticised in the past for not publishing the full results of its consultations. In the summer, a consultation on the devolution proposals disappeared without trace.

This time analysis of responses bordered on overkill

Consultation response

Consultation response

The open ended question about paying for the change has produced a revealing set of reactions from residents. They tend to confirm what most would expect. The average person in the street simply doesn’t know what money raising powers the Council actually has.

Putting up Council Tax.

In so far as there was a majority for any option, around 30% said that they would put up Council Tax to compensate. Yet for over 25 years successive national governments have capped increases in Council Tax. The Chancellor announced a few days ago that Councils would be permitted to increase charges by 2% – but this was specifically to pay for escalating elderly care charges. This is the option apparently favoured by the York Press.

Hit public enemies

These suggestions included new charges which are not legally possible at present. Targets would include a Tourist Tax, student landlord tax, reducing Councillors perks, surcharges on homes worth more than £500,000, 20 mph signs, reduced management salaries and getting rid of the office of Lord Mayor.

Enlightened self interest

In the main these were from respondents who lived in, or near, the City centre. They saw the money coming from increased car parking charges (although the last increase actually resulted in a reduction in Council income), from charging for green bin emptying (many residents in the City centre don’t have garden waste) and various forms of congestion charge (including the introduction of a toll on Lendal Bridge!).

In reality the Council missed a trick by failing to ask residents whether they would pay a 1% increase in Council Tax to offset any change.

 

Beware fake alcoholic drink over the festive season

City of York Council is joining the Food Standards Agency to caution residents about the dangers of fake alcohol over the festive season.

The campaign stresses that it’s important to know how to spot – and avoid – fake alcohol if drinkers suspect they’re being offered it.

Vodka is the most counterfeited spirit and can be made with chemicals most usually found in anti-freeze, screen wash or nail polish remover which could leave people blind, in a coma or even worse.

So the advice is not to take a risk on fake alcohol:

  • • Watch out for fake versions as well as unfamiliar brand namesFake vodka
  • • If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is
  • • Watch out for poor quality labelling including spelling mistakes and tampered bottles
  • • Buy from a reputable off-licence premise.

Matt Boxall, City of York Council’s Head of Public Protection, said:

“The festive season can sometimes bring stocks of fake alcoholic drinks into the supply chain. Our Trading Standards and Licensing teams work with licensed premises to uphold their responsibilities including recognising legitimate brands and taking precautions to make sure customers are sold the genuine article they’re paying for.

“Anyone with concerns should contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline 0345 4040506.”

See more at: http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/campaigns/fake-alcohol

Council tenants in York face more restrictions

Pets to be banned from blocks of flats?

The Council has published a list of changes to the tenancy rules which will apply to tenants. The major change is that success tenancies (when the tenant dies) will only be available for spouses/partners.  Other long term occupants of a property might be offered a tenancy of a size appropriate for their needs.

CatMost controversial proposal may be a suggestion from a tenants group that there be an outright ban, on tenants living in flats, from keeping a pet. It is likely that existing pets would not be affected.

The Councils permission to keep a pet in any of its properties (click here to read proposals) would be required. Bizarrely this appears to include goldfish. No more than  2 pets per home would be allowed (so bad news for mice and rabbits possibly) .

While a ban on keeping potentially noisy – or aggressive – dogs or more exotic animals, in a particular block of flats, might gain some support, it would seem harsh in the extreme to prevent elderly single people from having the companionship provided by (say) a cat.

Some of the other proposed changes may be more welcome. New conditions proposed include:

  • MedievalLawOffice-fullRequirement not to excessively clutter the home so as to cause health and safety problems, access to essential services and damage to the property. Note: There has been a big increase in behaviour which can be described as hoarding. Advice that CYC will remove any items left in communal to keep environment sterile in line with current procedures and relevant legislation.
  • Garden section – “You must keep your garden neat and tidy this includes managing the lawn, removing weeds, pruning hedges, shrubs and trees. If the garden is overgrown and you do not have a good reason for not doing the work yourself, we may do the work and charge you a reasonable cost for doing it. Section on trees has been expanded to: You are responsible for any trees that are within the boundary of the Property but you (or someone on your behalf) cannot cut down trees and hedges within the boundaries of your home without first getting written Council permission. You must not plant very large or fast growing trees or conifer species in the gardens of the property or that may cause damage, nuisance or obstruction. If you think that a tree may be dangerous you must report Annex B this to us. Where we decide that any trees or shrubs are a nuisance or dangerous we will prune, replace or remove”.
  • Tenants cannot “park a variety of vehicles including a motor home or boat within the boundaries of your home, including the front and rear garden, or take them over council owned grass verges without providing a hard standing to a specified standard and a car crossing over the pavement or path. You must not keep a vehicle or vehicles within the boundary of the property that have no road tax or insurance without the express permission of City of York Council Housing Services”.
  • Tenant must not store rubbish, furniture, household appliances or any unsightly objects in their garden, or in any shared garden.
  • Occupying the property – if a tenant is away for more than one month without notifying Housing, they will deem them as no longer living there and seek possession.
  • Communal (shared) Areas – tenants and their visitors cannot smoke in communal areas and congregate, especially at night as this may cause a nuisance to others in the block

Flexible tenancy start dates are proposed along with 52 week rent payments (i.e. no “free” weeks).

The proposals are being discussed at a meeting taking place on 16th December.  A 6 week consultation period with tenants  – starting in mid December – is promised.

What’s on: Christmas in Narnia

h5 style=”text-align: center”>Date: Thu 10 Dec
Time: 4.00pm – 5.30pm
VeNarnianue: Explore Haxby Library
Cost: £3

Through the magical wardrobe for a winter event based on Narnia.

Come through the wardrobe for a winter event with crafts and games in the magical world of Narnia.

Ages 5 – 12, booking essential , please contact Haxby on 01904 552660 or email haxby@exploreyork.org.uk for more information.