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TaxPayers' Alliance Bulletin - 24 February 2012 - Council Tax campaign steps up a gear - Make your voice heard in HMRC consultation - Grassroots - Best of the Blogs Council Tax campaign steps up a gear We achieved a major victory last night as the plans to increase Council Tax in Brighton were rejected in favour of a freeze. We told you last week how 30 councils were rejecting funding help from the Government that would allow them to freeze rates, instead planning to hike Council Tax. We've been continuing our campaign against them as meetings take place in Town Halls up and down the country. Part of this campaign has involved highlighting research and official statistics to put the proposed increases in context and suggesting areas where savings could be made instead. Click here to see some of the councils that we have in our sights In honour of our latest campaign we have named Cllr David Burbage, leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, as Pin-Up of the Month. This monthly awards celebrates those in power who have sought to save taxpayers’ money and is given in recognition of a 1.5 per cent cut in Council Tax – the third year in a row that he has reduced the burden on local residents. It’s a shame that civic leaders in Stoke on Trent City Council have not followed Cllr Burbage’s example. Our Pinhead of the Month for February is Cllr Sarah Hill, the Cabinet Member for Finance. She is pushing ahead with a 3.49 per cent increase in bills at a time when many residents are struggling with the rising cost of living. Make your voice heard in HMRC consultation Today the TPA has submitted its response to the consultation being undertaken by HMRC into improving tax transparency. You can read our submission in its entirety here but our main message is that there needs to be far more transparency and honesty about how much of our income is taken in tax: aside from Income tax payments, both employee’s and employer’s National Insurance contributions need to be taken into account. We also voice support for online accounts for personal taxation and pre-filled Self Assessment tax returns whilst restating our backing for an annual Tax Statement that sets out not only how much we pay in tax each year, but also how the Government then spends that cash. Grassroots Redcar Action Day TPA supporters are joining forces with local Liberal Democrats in Redcar tomorrow, calling on Redcar and Cleveland Council not to hike Council Tax by 3.5 per cent. If you live in the area, please join us to send a message that any hike in Council Tax is unacceptable. If you can make it, please let National Grassroots Coordinator, Andrew Allison know. What: Redcar and Cleveland Action Day Where: Near the tall clock, High Street, Redcar When: 1:00 pm, Saturday 25 February Chief Executive pay in Chichester After successful action days in Bath and Bristol calling for a reduction in chief executive pay, we were contacted by a supporter in Chichester who wants to do the same. Chichester District Council is currently interviewing for a new chief executive on £115K per annum. We think this is too high and want the successful candidate to lead by example and take a voluntary pay cut of £15K. If you would like to get involved, please contact Andrew Allison. Best of the Blogs Burning our Money: Non-jon of the week - The council continually employing improvement managers Grassroots: Fearless Somerset Taxpayer - Audit Commission report accuses council of ‘unlawful expenditure’ and ‘abuse of Public funds' European Union: Taxpayers Association of Europe attack European Stability Mechanism proposals - The European Stability Mechanism is a powerful reminder of how little respect Brussels has for democracy and accountability Campaign: Top cop receives pension payout and returns to the same job 24 hours later -A frankly staggering tale of public sector largesse as one of Britain's top cops returns to his job a mere 24 hours after pocketing a £300,000 pension payout Grassroots: Sheffield City Council raises the cost of parking permits - Sheffield Council admits parking permits are being doubled as part of revenue strategy