THE inequitable effect of council tax rebanding and revaluation on older people who have lived in their homes for over 40 years is causing concern to some Pembrokeshire county councillors.
Told that 16,857 properties in the county will move up a band, 2,314 will move up two bands and 496 three bands plus, Monday's council cabinet meeting agreed to make a direct approach to the National Assembly.
Discussing a notice of motion by Cllrs Mike Evans and Tom Richards to petition the Assembly for special financial support, leader Cllr John Davies described the new system as unfair. He said it would lead to extortionate increases for 16,000 people.
Cllr David Wildman preferred to base it on ability to pay rather than on property values. Director of finance, Mark Lewis, suggested pressure be brought to bear on the Department of Work and Pensions and the Assembly.
Cllr Peter Stock felt it needed to be made clear that the council did not benefit from the move of 36% of properties to higher bands, while Cllr Bill Roberts suggested monitoring the effect on people on fixed incomes.
Mark Lewis said the benefit sector was the best means of trying to mitigate the problem, and Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse said pensions had not risen which meant unfairness and hardship.
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