YEARS ago, we had the old rateable value for deciding how much rates should be paid. Then we had the Poll Tax which caused rioting in the streets. Now we have the present Council Tax with banding according to the vaue of the property - which, we are told, will be reassesed as of next September!

I have just had my increased Council Tax bill based, not on my ability to pay, but on some rough and ready assessment structure decided by a previous government.

If anyone thinks local Government finance is a topic worth discussing with the political parties, I suggest you ask them whether they think the present method of financing Local Government is satisfactory. If not, what do they suggest as an alternative?

Hopeful

Blackwell