A campaign for the abolition of Council Tax received a boost locally with the 2000th signature on a petition to the government. The landmark was reached last week when Curborough resident Mrs. Debbie Pope signed the 'Axe the Tax' petition run by Lichfield Liberal Democrats. This is the local party's contribution to a national campaign promoted by the party. Lichfield Campaigners, led by local Councillors Marion Bland, John Smith and Phillip Bennion have been working to collect signatures door-to-door. Cllr. Bland said: "We are very encouraged by the response so far.
The Council Tax is widely recognised as unfair and penalises those on lower and middle incomes. Many on fixed incomes struggle to meet their commitments. The complicated benefit system discourages many elderly people from claiming their entitlement. It has to be replaced with a tax linked to income." Cllr. Smith added: "With the tax doubling on average since Labour came to power in 1977 many people pay more in Council Tax than they do in PAYE." And Cllr. Bennion pointed out that Council Tax cannot provide a sufficient income stream for local councils without placing a further undue burden on taxpayers. "The Lyons Review looked at a much-needed overhaul of local government finance but has failed to deliver anything of substance to meet the day-to-day needs of councils in raising the money they need to provide essential services.
The government should go for our policy of a local income tax. No convincing arguments for not doing so were given in the Lyons report."
Pictured: Cllrs. Bland, Smith and Bennion, Mrs. Debbie Pope.
