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Liberal Democrats on Kent County CouncilThe Official Opposition on Kent County Council |
Serving Members of Armed Forces Pay Council Tax Twice
October 19, 2004 3:39 PM
No Reduction of Council Tax Despite Husband Spending 8 Months of the Year at RAF Quarters and Serving Overseas!!!
Liberal Democrat County Councillor Trudy Dean, is taking up complaints that serving members of the Armed Forces are being asked to pay Council Tax twice.
A local resident has complained that she receives no reduction of Council Tax despite the fact that her husband spends most of his time at his RAF quarters, and in serving overseas. He is away from the home for the equivalent of eight months of the year. At the airbase he pays a "contribution in lieu of Council Tax", but also must pay full Council Tax in respect of his wife's Malling home.
Trudy has discovered that several similar complaints have been made in the past. In each case it has been ruled that full Council Tax must be paid on their homes, because members of the armed forces are expected to return there when their service career ends.
We Rely on These Men and Women to Defend Our Country, and Reward Them by Making Them Pay Council Tax Twice!
Trudy says: "This is yet another unfairness of the awful Council Tax system. We rely on these men and women to defend our country, and reward them by making them pay Council Tax twice! This unfairness must be removed".
Trudy has referred the complaint to Menzies Campbell, the Lib Dem Spokesman for Foreign Affairs, and to Edward Davey MP who specialises in Council Tax law.
Liberal Democrats continue to campaign for the removal of Council Tax and its replacement by a form of Income Tax. If you would like more information on the national campaign to Axe Council Tax, visit Ed Davey MP's website dedicated to scrapping council tax at www.axethetax.org.uk You can also have your say by voting on our on line poll, located on the home page.
If you have a similar Council Tax complaint then Trudy would like to hear from you, email her: trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk