HOW many readers are aware all properties in England (and Scotland) are about to be revalued for council tax?

The Government has decreed all homes will be revalued based on the

estimated market value as at April 1, 2005.

The plan is to use these new values to calculate council tax bills in 2007 - well after the General

Election.

Many homes will be moved up one, or more, council tax bands, resulting in large increases in the amount demanded.

Revaluation and re-banding has already happened in Wales.

Council tax bills, based on the new values, will drop through people's letterboxes in March.

In some hot spots, such as Cardiff, 64 per cent of properties have been bumped up one or more bands, resulting in increases in council tax ranging from eight per cent if bumped up one band to 75 per cent if bumped up four bands.

And that is before anything is added on for inflation or other spending that is determined locally.

The same will happen across England, especially in the shire counties.

The property hot spots of the north and the south can expect to bear the brunt.

Anyone seeking more information can contact the nationwide, non-party

political IsItFair council tax protest campaign on 01428 712 680 for the

national headquarters, visit the campaign website at isitfair.co.uk or e-mail c@isitfair.co.uk

ALAN JONES

Mason Road

Redditch