Council Tax rant, anyone?

[Spoonman]

Having had enough of the local council and its double standards (planning regulations, traffic management, policing, licensing, neighbourhood 'refugees' in my garage), I decided to do what all good citizens should – I refused to pay my Council Tax. This was way back in May.

After writing to the council on three separate occasions to politely tell them why I'd cancelled my direct debit, I'm still waiting for a reply.

Well I was – until this morning. This morning I received a summons to appear at magistrates' court. And maybe my principles aren't as tough as I thought they were.

So what would you guys do? Stick to your guns and spend a day hanging round outside court with a large supply of bog roll? Or give in to their arrogant ignorance and keep moaning instead? Your well-reasoned thoughts may help me decide.

(Out of interest, I'm so sick of this town, I'm selling the house and moving to the countryside).

[Spoonman]

madcop said: If you are that disatisfied, you could always look at moving somewhere else and pay into a different council coffers .

Yup, I really am that dissatisfied. I'm due to complete on another house by the end of this month, which is in a different county. And it's going to be in the girlfriend's name, so the thought even crossed my mind to do a runner from the bill entirely. Not seriously, though – that would defeat the object of complaining.

My intention was to keep this house to rent out, but now I want to cut my ties entirely. Won't be much of an investment: the way the council's going, it'll end up as a hostel before the end of next year.

Means a Griffith for me though...

[Spoonman]

The thing is, I don't particularly object to the high cost of Council Tax. I don't especially object to council workers going on overseas jollies and having their hands a bit too firmly embedded in their pockets. I don't even object to all the dole-claiming scroungers having their rent and their Reeboks paid for. I just really resent not being treated the same as everyone else, just 'cos I can afford stuff and happen to have a few more cars than my neighbours.