One man's battle for council tax fairness
A BURGESS Hill pensioner, who has refused to pay part of his council tax because he says it is unfair to the elderly, was taken to court on Friday by Mid Sussex District Council. The case related to arrears accumulated last year.
He had gone to Haywards Heath magistrates court on Friday expecting to state his case in court, but the council obtained a liability order for him to pay 186.70, made up of 90 court fees and outstanding tax balance for 2007/8 of 96.70, without him being called.
For the past four years, Terry Reilly (70), of Maple Close, has refused to pay any proportion of council tax rise that is above the rate of increase of the state pension.
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Hide AdHe told the West Sussex Gazette: "I am not a council tax rebel. I have no objection to paying council tax, but it has to be fair and reflect the percentage in income for pensioners and the lower paid.