New council tax system sparks row in South Ayrshire

Mar 5 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

WE’RE paying too much council tax.

That’s the claim from furious residents, who’ve accused South Ayrshire Council of pulling a fast one.

A change to the monthly payment system, which comes into force from April, has sparked widespread anger from the public.

Complaints are flooding in about the controversial plan, which sees South Ayrshire residents losing April as a free payment month.

The current council tax collection period, which runs from May to February, is being axed in favour of a new system.

That will run from April to January, meaning a payment is due next month which many have failed to budget for.

But council chiefs insist there’s no foul play and are adamant everyone will pay their usual yearly sum.

They claim the move is a simple step to bring South Ayrshire in line with the rest of Scotland.

However, that’s not washing with angry residents, who point out they’ll make 11 payments in 2010 instead of the normal 10.

Jim Cuthbert, former deputy editor at the Ayrshire Post, spent more than 30 years as an expert in local authority finance.

And as a South Ayrshire council tax payer, he admits to being bamboozled by the new system.

He said: “Although it appears our annual fee will remain the same, there’s no doubt this April payment will come as a shock to many.

“I certainly had no idea it was coming into effect, so how many others are in the same position?

“We’re not talking about a small amount of money here which people won’t miss from their monthly budget.

“I’m not saying the council has robbed us, far from it, but they’ve handled this change in the system extremely poorly and people will feel out of pocket as a result.”

MSP Cathy Jamieson is another who admits to concerns over the system change.

She said: “I’ve had the issue raised with me by constituents and it seems many people have been caught off guard here.

“That raises the question about how much effort was made by the council to advertise this change to the system.

“It’s quite apparent that a lot of people have failed to budget for the April payment and if you’re on a low or fixed income, that’s going to be a problem.”

But the council has defended their stance and remain keen to play down the row.

Councillor Robin Reid said: “Council tax continues to be paid over 10 months and, this year the first payment will be made on April 1, 2010, bringing South Ayrshire into line with all other Scottish local authorities.

“The remaining nine installments will be paid between May 2010 and January 2011 and there shall be two months, February and March 2011, when no council tax payments are due, as long as all payments have been made.

“This year we are offering the option of spreading the cost of council tax over 12 months by direct debit, paying on either the first of 20th of each month. This option is available to both existing and new direct debit payers.

“Existing direct debit payers who wish to continue paying over 10 months on the first or 20th of each month need to do nothing as payments will be automatically deducted.

“Council Tax helps fund local services like schools, libraries, refuse collection and street lighting so it is important to pay on time to allow us to continue to deliver these services for local communities across south Ayrshire.”