Mayor criticises Council Tax payment system announcement

Newtown's Mayor has criticised Powys County Council for announcing an "easier" system to pay Council Tax just as it announced an increase of 4.8 per cent.

Cllr David Selby, who is also a county councillor, said the council should instead make it easier for those struggling to pay to understand what help is available.

“It is of little comfort to the Council Tax payers of Powys that the Cabinet’s first announcement after increasing Council Tax bills by 4.8% following last year’s 9.5% increase is to announce a system to make paying the increase easier," he said.
 
“Whilst the Council’s Computer systems must keep up to date, the Council priority at this time should be to contact those who have difficulty in paying this increase and pointing out the discounts and benefits that are available.

"As I said in the budget debate last Friday when the Liberal Democrat proposal to limit the increase to 3.75%, there are many who struggle with this unfair property tax.  The mismanagement of the Council over the last few years will not be hidden by the modernisation of the Council’s systems."
 
He added: “I fear for those in our community who are left behind by on-line developments and suffer most from the reduction in face to face services on which they rely.  I urge the Cabinet to look at their priorities and to concentrate on helping those without access to these on line facilities.”

 

Photo: Cllr David Selby