It may be a small issue compared with the budget dilemmas facing the Council, but I share the view of one Acocks Green resident, who contacted me to complain about the way the Council is checking the accuracy of its list of those entitled to single person’s discount on Council Tax.

Its quite right that this list is checked; after all the 25% discount for single people is significant and its likely that some people, who are no longer single, keep claiming it through simply forgetting to tell the Council that another adult has moved into their home. So a check up is welcome in these cash strapped times. However its being done with a letter that requires a reply (or the discount is lost), but provides no stamped addressed envelope, indeed no envelope at all.

The cost of having the stamp is not really my issue, annoying though it is. The bigger point is a concern that some people will end up not replying because of the inconvenience of having to find an enveloppe, address it and stamp it. They will then lose the discount and have to go back through the process of reclaiming the discount. I forsee a flood of complaints from people who lose the discount and claim they never received the letter. We will see.

One of the oddest parts of it, is that there is no way to electronically confirm your situation. Given that we are rightly encouraging people who do have access to the internet to interact with the Council in this way, it seems strange that this doesnt apply in this case – would this make it too easy for people to confirm they still qualify?

I have written to the cabinet member for finance to ask for his comments and post again when I have it.