What are we actually getting for our council tax?

 Today my council tax demand arrived and I was shocked to find it is now £3,350 per year.

That seems a lot given the state of the roads, pavements, non existent policing etc.

I bought the house in 2000 so I decided to look up how much the council was back in the good old year 2000.

So it was approximately £1,250 per year. Using the Bank of England's inflation calculator that £1,250 should now be £2,340 but it's now £3,350.  A difference of £1,005 or 43% more than it should be after inflation.

Are the services better as a result of this extra £1,005?  No.

Are the roads in better shape?  No.

Do I feel it is better value for money?  No.

I can say the bin collection has been consistent.  But I can say the tip/recycling facility is far worse - huge restrictions on what you can take there and the inconvenience of having to book in advance.

All the local police stations have closed and there are none in my borough yet it says I paying for policing.

The libraries are still there.  The council did try to close them all but there was outrage.

The council run train  station car park prices have ballooned.  It used to be £3 in 2000 but is now £7.50. Using the bank of england calculator that should be £5.75 so a similar inflation busting rise but clearly yet more income for the council.

What on earth are we getting for these services?

I suspect we are all paying for the gold plated council pensions.  

I think there should be the sale of goods act for council services paid for by council tax.

They must think we are stupid...

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