Southport 20/20

[sandGroundZero]

An invitation to post about Southport's opportunities and any obstacles (such as they may be) to the town's achieving economic diversity and a better environment for all residents.

Number 0

[sandGroundZero]

I have posted here about the anomalies of the Council Tax. One such is the fact that Council Tax assessment has not been updated since the inception of the tax in the early 1990s. In that long interval, property values have increased much faster in the southeast of England and especially in London. In other parts of the country property values have increased much more slowly. I believe it is the case that some properties in Southport have not recovered much ground since the 2008 banking crisis resulted in a general slump.

A consequence of this is — according to a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies titled: Council Tax: Revaluation and Reform — the tax rate in Sefton (among many other Districts) is seriously out of proportion. That is, we are paying more than we would do, if the system were reformed to be more equitable.

[sandGroundZero]

Southport's visitor calendar will have a lot of Xs on it, owing to virus lockdown. Will we have a Spring?

The visitor economy businesses — leisure, hospitality, retail — are all being battered by this lockdown. Who can say when it will end?

[said]

I have posted here about the anomalies of the Council Tax. One such is the fact that Council Tax assessment has not been updated since the inception of the tax in the early 1990s. In that long interval, property values have increased much faster in the southeast of England and especially in London. In other parts of the country property values have increased much more slowly. I believe it is the case that some properties in Southport have not recovered much ground since the 2008 banking crisis resulted in a general slump.

A consequence of this is — according to a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies titled: Council Tax: Revaluation and Reform — the tax rate in Sefton (among many other Districts) is seriously out of proportion. That is, we are paying more than we would do, if the system were reformed to be more equitable.

The lowest council tax payable in the UK is in the City of Westminster, where council taxes are less than half of those paid in the North West!

[Alikado]

I have posted here about the anomalies of the Council Tax. One such is the fact that Council Tax assessment has not been updated since the inception of the tax in the early 1990s. In that long interval, property values have increased much faster in the southeast of England and especially in London. In other parts of the country property values have increased much more slowly. I believe it is the case that some properties in Southport have not recovered much ground since the 2008 banking crisis resulted in a general slump.

A consequence of this is — according to a report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies titled: Council Tax: Revaluation and Reform — the tax rate in Sefton (among many other Districts) is seriously out of proportion. That is, we are paying more than we would do, if the system were reformed to be more equitable.

The Council Tax is set locally by each Council so comparison with other areas isn't valid.

[sandGroundZero]

Alikado's post #5:

The Council Tax is set locally by each Council so comparison with other areas isn't valid.

Institute for Fiscal Studies Report: Council Tax: Revalutation and Reform

Council tax bands in England are still based on property values in April 1991 – almost 30 years ago. Since then the relative prices of different properties have changed significantly:
for example, official estimates suggest the average price in London is now more than six times what it was in 1995, compared with barely three times in the North East.

The point is because of regional differences in house price inflation over almost 30 years, an unfair, regressive (Council) tax has become more regressive taking a disproportionate share of householders' resources outside London and the southeast of England. So though it is true each Council sets its own rate, the values of the properties on which the tax is based have changed to the considerable disadvantage of households in Sefton MBC and throughout the north!

The IFS Report is lengthy wonkery, but there are some worthwhile graphics and tables illustrating the point.

[sandGroundZero]

said's post #4:

The lowest council tax payable in the UK is in the City of Westminster, where council taxes are less than half of those paid in the North West!

Yes; and the formula, devised 30 years ago in the aftermath of the Poll Tax debacle upon which the calculations are based, is skewed to the benefit of Council Tax payers in London and southeast England.

The details are in the Institute for Fiscal Studies report titled: Council Tax: Revaluation and Reform. The details are significant for Council Tax payers here and elsewhere.

[said]

Alikado's post #5:

The Council Tax is set locally by each Council so comparison with other areas isn't valid.

Institute for Fiscal Studies Report: Council Tax: Revalutation and Reform

Council tax bands in England are still based on property values in April 1991 – almost 30 years ago. Since then the relative prices of different properties have changed significantly:
for example, official estimates suggest the average price in London is now more than six times what it was in 1995, compared with barely three times in the North East.

The point is because of regional differences in house price inflation over almost 30 years, an unfair, regressive (Council) tax has become more regressive taking a disproportionate share of householders' resources outside London and the southeast of England. So though it is true each Council sets its own rate, the values of the properties on which the tax is based have changed to the considerable disadvantage of households in Sefton MBC and throughout the north!

The IFS Report is lengthy wonkery, but there are some worthwhile graphics and tables illustrating the point.

Yes, the whole system needs a radical overhaul - for based on these archaic rates so rents are also set.

[sandGroundZero]

This could become a dismal year for Southport's visitor economy.

England's overly centralized governmental institutions do not serve us well. Ministers and MPs of all parties will make soothing noises about de-centralizing. But in their frame of reference "de-centralizing" tends to mean dispatching elements of this or that government department to a regional city. We've seen that happen now and again, over the years; but as in the most recent bout of austerity, savings through rationalization lead to the closure of those outliers. In short, MPs and Ministers don't get it! Incremental change is small change; a revolution is overdue!

[Alikado]

said's post #4:

The lowest council tax payable in the UK is in the City of Westminster, where council taxes are less than half of those paid in the North West!

Yes; and the formula, devised 30 years ago in the aftermath of the Poll Tax debacle upon which the calculations are based, is skewed to the benefit of Council Tax payers in London and southeast England.

The details are in the Institute for Fiscal Studies report titled: Council Tax: Revaluation and Reform. The details are significant for Council Tax payers here and elsewhere.

Several Governments have messed around with the 'settlement grant' which is one of the main elements of the inequality, the jiggery pokery that has gone on over the years always slants it against the north and Labour constituencies in particular, one of the biggest problems is the country is London centric, a lot of services are paid for centrally such as the Police so we pay twice and the crafty cockneys get off light!

[Alikado]

This could become a dismal year for Southport's visitor economy.

England's overly centralized governmental institutions do not serve us well. Ministers and MPs of all parties will make soothing noises about de-centralizing. But in their frame of reference "de-centralizing" tends to mean dispatching elements of this or that government department to a regional city. We've seen that happen now and again, over the years; but as in the most recent bout of austerity, savings through rationalization lead to the closure of those outliers. In short, MPs and Ministers don't get it! Incremental change is small change; a revolution is overdue!

If the virus does abate in a few months and restrictions are partially lifted during the summer and it could be boomtime for the UK Tourist industry as it would take the travel companies to gear up and other countries could still be under restrictions.
There again IF COULD & AND are big words.

[sandGroundZero]

Alikado's post "If the virus does abate …it could be boomtime for the UK Tourist industry …"

I suppose we must hope for an early resumption of 'normality'. Bear in mind, though, that Sefton has been largely spared corona virus confirmed cases up to now. We must also hope that the powers that be do not become impatient for a return to business as usual with the consequence of a second wave of virus cases — a second wave which could, conceivably swamp our town and region.

[MICK/GILLY]

Why did we need a suspension bridge when we used to have a normal bridge and a normal bridge would have done again and maybe cheaper.
Although I do think the bridge a lovely backdrop..... of a pyramid hidden in plain sight !.

[Alikado]

Why did we need a suspension bridge when we used to have a normal bridge and a normal bridge would have done again and maybe cheaper.
Although I do think the bridge a lovely backdrop..... of a pyramid hidden in plain sight !.

The Chinese build some awesome bridges, bit too scary for me though.

[sandGroundZero]

Virus containment aside, it's been a pleasant week in Southport

Quiet, of course