Since being elected in 2021, I have been actively investigating alternatives to our broken system of Council tax. Council tax in Hartlepool is simply too high – partly due to the number of lower band properties and high levels of deprivation in our Town – and partly due to persistent increases for the 50 years Labour controlled the Council (besides when the Conservative Coalition provided them with a grant to ensure prices were frozen).
We cannot solve the issue of Council tax overnight, nor through elaborate speeches or angry Facebook posts – this issue needs real, deep-rooted reform. That is why I have taken the time to meet on a number of occasions with people who are suggesting real solutions – such as Andrew Dixon from ‘Fairer Share.’ Those who follow my activity will know that I have voiced my views on our outdated system of Council tax very publicly, through an article published on my website and in a piece I wrote for The Times which was shared on my platforms. This is not an issue I have avoided. On the contrary I have been speaking with colleagues about this important issue, meeting with stakeholders and making my views clear long before the proposal to increase Council tax landed on the desks of Hartlepool councillors.
The issue of Council tax must be overhauled nationally. We cannot keep increasing the burden on the taxpayer as Labour did year-on-year. Council tax was frozen by the Conservative-led Council in 2021/22 and I have full confidence that were it not for the lasting financial impacts of the Pandemic and rising costs as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, they would be in the position to continue the freeze.
I know that Councillors value the opportunity to feedback on local issues with me, and I do regularly meet with Council leaders as well as Officers to discuss important issues which I can then prioritise during my days in Westminster. However, as my job dictates, I must spend certain days each week in Parliament – as colleagues of all parties are required to do, therefore I am in London most of the week unable to attend Council meetings and it is not my place to do so. This was explained to the CEO of Hartlepool Borough Council when I sent my apologies in response to invitations to a number of meetings.
While reforming Council tax remains an important issue, it is one which will require the combined will of the Houses of Parliament as a whole, to address – I will continue to make my voice heard to this end. Meanwhile, since I was elected, Hartlepool has seen over £40 million of investment delivered by this Conservative Government. I will endeavour to ensure that this funding supports my pledges to bring opportunity, jobs and regeneration to our area.
As ever I am getting on with the job rather than taking part in nonsensical political game playing. Finally, if you would like to see more about my work on Council tax reform, please see the following links:
https://www.jillmortimer.org.uk/news/red-wall-deserves-fairer-council-tax-system