Paging Cllr Slack (again)

[therealjr]

so what's wrong with the 2013 Localism act?

[Fly]

Also, If a Labour Party member got the PPC job in his particular area, will he get the chance to stop the cuts, or just work with the resources he's got ?

[therealjr]

So there's no reply from our elected representative.
Do I gather this is because he doesn't actually understand the aforementioned act and prefers to simply slavishly re-post to Facebook any post sent out by his political masters?
Or does it take him 2 days to ask someone what it really is all about?

[Slacker]

I have not gone into it in great depth. Sounds ok in  theory that local groups can  get together and run certain things but in reality is it likely to be a back door in for businesses to take over buildings and services? Don't trust this government to increase local choice as they seem intent on weakening the position of those ELECTED to provide local services and amenities.
As for PCCs they will have a budget to work to but they will have say in how the budget is spent. People may say they are undemocratic if they are elected by a small portion of the electorate but blame that on the people that can't be bothered to vote.

[therealjr]

So from all you've put I fail to see how it could be called a new Poll Tax as you headlined it in your scare mongering facebook post.
So what's the story there?

[chesterfieldchris]

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[Slacker]

Wasn't me comparing me to poll tax if I remember rightly (without searching for it) the article was implying that it must be bad if even the architect of poll tax dislikes it

[therealjr]

This is what you posted. I would assume seeing as you saw fit to re-post it that you would a) understand it and b) agree with it.
So why is it the new poll tax please?

[Slacker]

Jenkin is referring to (supposedly) giving local authorities more decision making power but not more cash to do it with
http://www.theinformationdaily.com/2012/10/24/child-benefit-changes-could-mean-poll-tax-mark-ii

[chesterfieldchris]

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[Slacker]

If it was done for the right reasons a good thing but it seems to me it's being done to coincide with cuts in financial support so local authorities get the blame.

Don't forget last year local authorities were given a bribe of (I think) 3% of council tax income not to put up council tax. When this is taken away the following year a 1% rise in council tax in effect means a 2% fall in money available to pay for jobs and services.

As for second homes, the only people who should get exemption from council tax are those who have inherited a house (probably due to a relative dying) and not had enough time to sell it.

[chesterfieldchris]

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[therealjr]

So should it worry me that a Labour Party councillor in charge of my local authority can't actually provide an answer to a question re reform of local government finance?
Despite the fact that he slavishly re-posts facebook quotes about it?
One that it is being claimed could have as big an impact as the Poll tax (which if you want to be melodramatic about it was one of the major causes of Mrs T's downfall?
An answer that I as a member of the public without access to a party machine and propoganda leaflets can find simply by googling 'why is the localism bill the new poll tax'?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/23/poll-tax-back-cameron-localism
£3918.12 not well spent obviously

[chesterfieldchris]

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[Pete]

Generally, I don't see why people should whinge if they have a second home in a country with such a high level of homeless people.