Vocal Voices

Trying to sort out my council tax bill, which did not look right. Phones never answered, sit for 25 mins then get cut off, try again, same thing. I have been trying morning and noon since Monday without luck. So today I thought to make an appearance in person. All the local Community Hubs are skeleton staffed and all I got from each one I visited was to phone the number.... the unanswered one. Nobody cared! However, I finally found one hub that was staffed and after explaining the problem to the lady I was promised a call-back from someone who could deal with the problem. It's just been done and I am now £19 per month, or every four weeks, better off. £19 might not seem a lot but when you are on a fixed income.....

It pays to be persistent, but I wonder how many people who are not as mobile or tenacious as myself just give up and lose out?

And the excuse? Covid, obviously.

A friend who is employed for a localcouncil is at present working from home. She thought she may be made reduntant. But she has been told she will have to go and start working in the big central council offices where she used to work before the lockdown.
You would have got good service if you had had to deal with her.

I have just had a new council tax demand. But there is no mention if this is the reduced amount as I am now a single person and the only one living at this address.
Have written and asked for a written reply.
Will let you know what happens.

Cruiser, there are some who are worth their weight in gold - I met one today.

I had to sort it by the 10th of April when the new charges kick in or I would be stuck till the end of the year and then have to claim it back, but the council offices will not reopen till the 15th - convenient eh?

You need to keep chasing that letter up, and don't give up. If you cannot visit them hit them with an avalanche of emails, and keep records. Like it or not, emails are quicker. Not as good as face to face or a call, admittedly, but they do leave more of a trail than phone calls. Good luck.

I got my bill last week can't pay it in the office so have to pay by other means bet if I don't I will get a phone call soon enough

You'll get more than a phone call, Saundra, you'll get a team of council heavies hauling you off to the stocks for a pelting, by them, with rotten tomatoes. Invest in a waxed jacket and some goggles. Stay home, stay safe, protect the NHS, but most of all protect yourself from the council wonks.

Persistence pays off Frank! Good for you

That’s a good result Frank! Good on ya for not giving in

Ours has gone up by £10 a month, and we’re getting even less for it as they’re now charging close to £50 a year to empty garden waste bins.

Well done on sorting it out WM.

We don't pay any.

Ours has gone up £6 a month, which doesn't sound much but that's £60 a year and I'm not totally sure what for....

We pay £191 a month now, Band C.

Ours just went up too, it's now £230 a month, and like you Jo we pay extra for garden waste