All Words, No Action: MP’s Council Tax Reform Plans Slammed as a Gimmick

His plans to reform council tax in Hartlepool has been branded ' a gimmick' by critics, who claim the same plans were mooted by the previous towns Conservative MP.... with those plans also being a non starter....

13th November 2024

As another wallet-whimpering Council Tax increase looms for Hartlepool residents, Labour's newest MP, Jonathan Brash, is touting a plan to reform the system through the collaboration of a new parliamentary committee. But many are already branding it an election gimmick, recalling similar promises made by former Conservative MP Jill Mortimer just two years ago — with no results to show, and Council Tax bills continuing to rise.

Hartlepool's former Conservative ELected MP also mooted plans for Council Tax reform some two years ago

Is this actual Reform or Just More Empty Promises?

Jonathan Brash recently launched his campaign to "reform" Council Tax, arguing that the current system is unfairly hammering local households. Yet, despite his rhetoric, there are growing fears that Hartlepool Borough Council — now Labour-led — is gearing up to approve a hike of up to 4.9%.

The increase could be rubber-stamped at an upcoming Finance and Policy Committee meeting set to be held in just weeks, with final approval expected at the full council just before Christmas. For local families already struggling with rising costs, this could mean an additional hundreds of pounds a year added to their already Unaffordable yearly council tax bill..

This proposed increase comes against a backdrop of deeply entrenched poverty in Hartlepool, where the cost-of-living crisis has already stretched household budgets to the limit. Public sentiment towards MP Jonathan Brash also seems to be souring, with many residents viewing his push for reform as little more than political grandstanding, with critics arguing that Council Tax — a system based on 1991 property valuations — is outdated and disproportionately affects low-income areas like Hartlepool compared to wealthier regions such as Westminster.

Council Tax Reform: A Familiar Tune in Hartlepool

Politicians, both locally & nationally have been blowing the tune of Council Tax reform, with little ever done to change the deeply regressive system.

Brash is said to have formed an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Council Tax Reform, aiming to explore ways to modernise the system and lobby the government for change. He's called the current system "out of date," noting that basing taxes on decades-old property values does not accurately reflect a person’s ability to pay.

However, local residents are said to be 'sceptical'. They recall how Jill Mortimer, the former Conservative MP for Hartlepool, raised similar concerns during her term, highlighting the stark disparity in Council Tax rates between poorer areas like Hartlepool and affluent ones like Westminster, where residents often pay less despite having higher property values. Mortimer’s efforts, however, fizzled out like a sad sounding fart without any substantial action, leaving many to wonder if Brash’s push for reform will face likely the same fate.

A Hidden Crisis: Secret Kangaroo Court Hearings and Rising Discontent

Its claimed as many as 90% of all people summoned to court for non payment of Council Tax are in reciept of welfare benefits, with the vast majority either disabled, vulnerable or registered as a carer.

There’s also growing outrage over how Council Tax debts are handled. Reports suggest that an increasing number of vulnerable households are being dragged before "kangaroo courts" for non-payment. Many of these hearings occurring behind closed doors, often without the persons knowledge, fuelling accusations of injustice and lack of transparency.

A potential landmark legal challenge could also be brewing, with it being claimed disability campaigners could be preparing to take the issue to the High Court for a Judicial Review over the apparent disproportionate number of vulnerable individuals being taken to court. If successful, this could shine a spotlight on what many see as a highly punitive and regressive system, adding pressure on the government to implement change.

Critics Speak Out: "All Talk, No Action"

Brash's support of Council Tax reform is a direct opposite of his views previously, after his stint as a town Councillor reveals his support for Council Tax increases has always been for them to increase when Labour were previously in control of HBC

Opponents argue that Jonathan Brash’s newfound zeal for reform is merely a rehash of previous failed Conservative efforts. Despite Mortimer’s vocal criticism of the existing system, her tenure saw no meaningful action to address the disparities. Now, Brash faces the challenge of proving that his campaign is more than just empty words — especially as residents continue to see cuts to local services while their Council Tax bills keep climbing.

Senior council officials, meanwhile, have seen their paychecks and pension contributions increase year after year, even as local services are cut. This perceived imbalance has further fuelled public anger, with many predicting a surge of Council Tax protests if reforms are not implemented soon.

A Brewing Revolt?

If nothing changes, some predict a future wave of civil disobedience. The frustration could boil over into mass protests or even a widespread refusal to pay Council Tax. Such actions could cripple local councils financially and overwhelm the court system with cases, forcing the government to finally confront the issue head-on.

With mounting discontent and a potential storm of legal challenges on the horizon, the question remains: Will Jonathan Brash's plans lead to any real reform of the Council Tax system, or is it just another political ploy ahead of the next election?

Only time will tell, but for the people of Hartlepool, the stakes couldn’t be higher.