This will be interesting!

[upthecreekyetagain]

Surrey CC are going to hold a referendum over a proposed increase in Council Tax for 2017/18.

They are proposing an increase of 15% to help continue to provide social and care services for the elderly, disabled and children.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/19/tory-led-surrey-county-council-announce-referendum-15-per...

Surrey, surprise, surprise, is in general a Conservative county and it will be interesting to see whether or not Conservative voters will support a rise in Council tax. The proposed increase is only on the 'council' portion of the tax, (not the borough), but even so will cost me about an extra £20+ per month.

My wife is a care worker so I am aware of the cuts that have been made to funding of various services - Surrey is a relatively affluent area which should be able to support services for those in need but essentially the Tory councils have made keeping Council tax low a priority and this has finally caught up with them.

I'll be supporting the increase but doubt any referendum will end up supporting the increase.

[evoman3957]

Well you can't say it's not putting the power and decision making in the hands of the people.  They're saying " this is the way it is, we don't have enough money to keep the current services, we supply, going.  So you decide, you either pay 15% more in Council Tax.......or we cut services "..........so the people will have to decide won't they.........the have it all days are over.......end of story !!!

[upthecreekyetagain]

The problem though is that the types of services that need funding are not ones used by the majority who are paying council tax. 

Persuading them to pay the extra won't be easy.

[fallen-archie]

I don't think there is a cat in hells chance of them getting it through. You are talking about many who cannot afford the increase and many more who could but are striving for a list of personal goals which do not include assisting those in need. Unless you are actually touched by the dilemma many of us have faced why would you want to commit funds to the welfare of all rather than ones self? Not I hasten to add my point of view but one that is widely held particularly amongst the upwardly mobile.

[joe_bloggs*]

Interesting reading the comments after the Guardian article:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jan/19/surrey-confirms-plans-to-raise-council-tax-by-15?CMP...

"

muttlee

8h ago

56

It's a deflection of blame trick. Central government cuts funding to a local council. Local council then has to put up rates to keep services at the same level, and knowing this will not be popular, hold a 'referendum' which asks locals if they want to pay more or cut services. Better-off Tories, who have a majority in this area, and who can well afford to pay more, decide in a sociopathic frenzy to slash services instead. Less well off people protest about schools and social service cuts which affect them badly. Government says it is "nothing to do with us, blame the people who voted to cut services".

[upthecreekyetagain]

Ultimately it is the people that would be refusing to fund services if the referendum does reject the increase.  If an affluent area like Surrey is unwilling to support its "needy" then what hope is there for the rest of the country?

I've always said that whilst referendums may give a snapshot of people's opinion it is not the best way for making important decisions in a representative democracy.  If we had a referendum tomorrow on whether or not the Exchequer should send everyone a cheque for £1,000 at Christmas then I'd be very surprised if that wasn't voted for by a large majority.  The Surrey referendum is on the same level - it is not a decision that should be decided on by a referendum.

[evoman3957]

Believe it or not joe_b, Tories die ( just the same as labourites do )......prince & pauper alike meet the same end.  It's not like it is in the movies, you go out in a blaze of glory; just to pop up a week later in a sequel.  If your lucky to live long enough, you get old first and spend long lonely hours, in a care home, wondering where all the years went and recounting the memories. It's a shame all those younger immortals, don't / cannot grasp the reality, that they too will get there; as sure as I'm sitting here typing out these words.

[theelench]

Dare I say that if Surrey Council is the same as Kent County Council, Thanet District Council and Ramsgate Town Council the only budget that hasn't been cut in any way is the one for councillors allowances.  Ditto MPs and MEPs salaries.

There's quite a bit to be saved there IMO.