Published: Wednesday, 5th November, 2008 12:30
Shock rise in Council Tax bills
By Iain Robertson
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RESIDENTS in the Beechwood area of Sauchie got more than a fright on Halloween after they received a letter informing them their council tax is being increased – and they will have to pay higher bills with immediate effect.
At a time when the tax has been frozen across the country residents could have been forgiven for thinking this was a wrongly dated April fools joke.
But the news that their council tax band is being increased from A to B was far from amusing – and the reality will be higher monthly payments at a time when everyone is feeling the financial squeeze of the credit crunch.
Beechwood homeowner Peter Connor contacted the Advertiser to express his dismay at the news.
He said, “I was surprised when I got the letter as I know the council tax has been frozen. You expect gas and shopping bills to rise but this tax has been frozen!
“It should be brought to people’s attention that we’re paying for someone else’s mistake, and why has it taken so long to realise the error?”
The decision was made by the Assessor for Central Scotland, which acts independently of Clackmannanshire Council.
It received a representation in respect of a neighbouring property and, after investigation, concluded that Peter’s band – and that of others in the area – should be increased.
Peter Wildman, Assistant Assessor, Central Scotland Valuation Joint Board, said, “Properties were originally banded in 1993 and the valuation list showing the bandings has been publicly available since then.
“Where any person highlights any inconsistencies in the list, as happened recently in this case, we will thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action to resolve the matter.
“The Assessor is independent of Clackmannanshire Council and the council played no role in the decision to review the banding in question.”
Peter’s next door neighbour, Mary Taylor, was incensed to learn that she would have to pay more.
Mary said, “I think it’s crazy, they shouldn’t be able to do this, nobody is going to be able to live – we pay enough money already.
“The first thing I was told before I applied to buy my house was that the council tax would not be increased.
“They should be paying higher wages if they are going to start putting our bills up.”
Where a banding is altered there is a formal right of appeal to the Central Scotland Valuation Appeal Panel.
Any appeal must be lodged in writing with the Assessor within six months of the notice advising of the revised banding, in this particular case by no later than 30 April 2009.
Beechwood households facing the tax hike can lodge an appeal by requesting an appeal form by writing to: Hillside House, Laurelhill Business Park, Stirling, FK7 9JQ.
Alternatively a proposal may be lodged online via the Scottish Assessors Association website at www.saa.gov.uk.
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