Billing date changed, but negotiable (From Witney Gazette)

Billing date changed, but negotiable

3:16pm Tuesday 27th February 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

PENSIONERS have accused West Oxfordshire District Council of ignoring them by bringing forward the billing dates for council tax.

The Witney Gazette has received a number of calls - and visits - by irate OAPs, furious that the council had shifted the date it collects council tax from the 14th to the 1st of every month.

The council said it had changed the collection date following requests from many council taxpayers, who said they preferred the new date. Bringing forward the payment date also leads to cash flow gains.

But many people in the district - including a large number of pensioners - say it discriminates against them.

An online poll organised by the Witney Gazette showed 82 per cent of respondents were against the move.

Although the council is happy to change individual's collection dates, this information was omitted from letters sent to householders.

Bob Edwards, 67, of Richens Drive, Carterton, is an RAF pensioner. He said: "They shouldn't arbitrarily change the date. They should be asking for our permission, individually. The first of the month is not convenient for most pensioners. The 14th was much better."

He added: "The council has behaved arrogantly. They are just saying 'we are doing this'.

"You can change the date you pay, but the letter doesn't tell you that."

A 78-year-old man from Witney, who asked not to be named, said: "It's terrible that they keep changing the dates around. It is hitting pensioners particularly hard, and has been done without any thought for us. We have to plan our pensions - and it is hard enough as it is."

A Witney pensioner, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: "Pensioners get their pensions at different times of the month. Moving the collection date to the first of the month is not acceptable."

But one Witney woman, who contacted the Witney Gazette, said: "I wrote to the council informing them that this new date did not suit my income payments, and wished it to remain the same.

"I had a quick response, confirming my collection date would not be changed, and would remain at the middle of the month. It just takes a letter!"

Jon Dearing, head of revenues at West Oxfordshire District Council said: "We decided to change the date, because over the years, many taxpayers have told us that paying on the 1st of each month would be more convenient.

"It fits in with most people's pay days, and is when most of their other regular payments are made.

"We have had requests from people asking if they can continue to pay on the 14th, and have accommodated them on an individual basis. The decision to write to all of our council tax and business ratepayers individually, with far more notice than the required 14 days, was taken to make the transition easier.

"Bringing forward the payment date will also lead to improved cash flow gains for the council. This is to the benefit of all taxpayers in West Oxfordshire, and will help us to maintain the second lowest council tax of any district council in the country."