From ‘fix the potholes’ to ‘bring back the poll tax’

Fixing road potholes must be a top priority for Lancashire authorities over the next 12 months using tax payers’ money, according to people in Clitheroe asked about council tax and spending.

While some people are unclear about different councils’ remits, they had clear opinions on how tax should be spent. In addition to fixing roads, they highlighted affordable housing, town centre investment and council tax support for young people.

There were different views on what the best system of local tax could be. One person said the controversial poll tax, scrapped in the 1990s, was fairer than today’s council tax.

They spoke as Ribble Valley Council and others set new budgets and taxes. Some have raised their share of council tax, including Lancashire County Council, which has the main remit for roads in much of the county.

But locally in the Ribble Valley, ruling Conservatives did not increase the borough’s council tax this year, They said this will help households facing cost-of-living pressures. They also froze Ribble Valley’s council tax last year.

‘TOWN LOOKS GOOD BUT ROADS ARE TERRIBLE’

Tony Johnson lives in Ribchester and runs a Clitheroe Market stall.  He said: “Locally, I think Ribble Valley Council does a pretty good job. But my main issue is the terrible state of the roads. There are potholes everywhere, damaging cars and slowing traffic. Drivers have to swerve to avoid the holes. But roads are a county council issue.

“Here, I think Ribble Valley’s bin collections are good, the streets in Clitheroe are clean, litter is collected and the road sweepers come out. The town’s well-kept. The borough’s spent a lot of money on Clitheroe Market, which is good too.

“However, they should also spend money on A59 road signs and promoting Clitheroe to visitors. The market is here three days a week and there’s Clitheroe Castle. But these need strongly promoting. Visitors and tourism are really important for the local economy.”

Asked if he agreed with freezing council tax, he said: “It depends how much money the council has – separately from the county and the police – and how the economy is doing. I think Ribble Valley has some decent reserves in the bank so perhaps council tax can be frozen. They’ve already got money allotted for some big schemes, so probably don’t need to raise any more .”

RIBBLE VALLEY PRIORITIES
At Ribble Valley Council’s budget meeting this week, ruling Conservatives  argued the borough has enough money, for now, for borough-run services like bin collections, housing and leisure services. And one-off projects like Ribblesdale Swimming Pool improvements,  new affordable flats, more investment in Clitheroe Market and repairs to Clitheroe Castle are included in the borough’s financial plan.

However, Labour, Green and Lib-Dem councillors said the Ribble Valley freeze is short-sighted. They had wanted a 2.99 per cent rise – representing less than 10p a week or £5.10 for the year for a Band-D house – which they argued would allow Ribble Valley Council to do much more. They said investing more money now would leave local services and assets in better shape for the future – and a Lancashire-wide council shake-up in 2028.

In particular, opposition councillors said much-more affordable housing is needed in the Ribble Valley, especially to rent. And higher spending on 50-year-old Ribblesdale Pool.

‘YOUNG PEOPLE NEED SUPPORT’

Speaking in Clitheroe, Cory Walsh said: “I think the town is in pretty good shape but there are potholes everywhere which need fixing. And affordable housing for young people should be another priority. Young people struggle to pay all these taxes, so maybe that needs thinking about too?

“Students get discounts with council tax but young people generally face a lot of rising costs and don’t have much money. They need support. Maybe Ribble Valley freezing its local council tax might help them?”

Julie Scott, visiting from Blackburn, said: “As far as I’m concerned with council tax, I’m just happy to have my bins emptied. My council tax in Blackburn is the biggest bill I get. The bin service is very good in Blackburn. The bins are emptied every fortnight at least.

“But the roads are covered in potholes and bumps. The roads need repairing all over the place and I suppose that needs funding from tax.”

‘I LIKED THE POLL TAX’

Peter Ramsdale said: “Tax has got to be paid somehow but I actually liked the old poll tax. It was fairer because it was based on all the adults in a household – rather than the size of a house. People who previously didn’t pay a local tax had to pay the poll tax, like adult children still living at home with their parents. But the poll tax was unpopular and was eventually booted-out.

“Now, under the council tax system, me and my wife have a four bedroom house, ranked Band D. But that band bears no relation to your occupation or income. So there are well-paid people in smaller houses who pay lower council tax than us. Is that fair? I’ve also read about multi-millionaires in Westminster paying lower council tax than many ordinary people. So I’m not sure council tax is fair.”

‘I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH COUNCIL TAX’

John Howard, from Southport, said: “Most people agree we need taxes for the upkeep of infrastructure. But across the country, lots of things are falling apart because councils haven’t got any money. But Clitheroe town centre has had some refurbishment and generally looks nice. It’s got to be done.

“The castle is being repaired by Ribble Valley Council, which owns it. It’s usually the National Trust that’s got money for projects like that – but, here, the council is doing it.

“I’ve come to Clitheroe with my family over the years and had various holidays in the area. My kids used to go to the swimming pool in Clitheroe, which is also important.”

But regarding his home-town of Southport, he said: “I don’t think we get value for money there. Years ago, Southport was part of Lancashire but it’s in Merseyside now. Southport used to be quite a rich, touristy town. But I feel it’s been used as a cash cow by Sefton Council.

“I have no issue with paying council tax – or other taxes. I also think people who can afford to pay a bit more, should do. But if taxes are wasted, that’s inexcusable. For example, there have been problems with council market projects across Merseyside.”