Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Many did so because they believe in charges and local taxes. The Minister is misrepresenting people who disagree. I know there are different views among such people, but they largely disagree with the type of tax regime that obtains. They are not saying they do not want to pay the taxes but are concerned about the injustice of taxes that are not income related or use related.

The waiver system is not fair. People in my county council area are excluded from receiving waivers if they are in receipt of any other income. If they are on a small occupational pension, they do not qualify. If they are in a middle income group they are hit for everything, as usual, and they do not receive the benefits of the higher or lower paid. They do not get waivers or have the tax breaks of the wealthy and that is why they are dissenting.

People fear their local councils will be abolished, although I believe that fear is ungrounded. The councils know they have to work to a budget and want to do things in the community. This is a cross-party phenomenon. Maybe some individuals might not have voted for waste charges for political reasons or otherwise, but it is a fact that councils have adopted the waste charge everywhere. Therefore, I hate to see the perpetuation of the myth that councillors are not taking responsibility. They put themselves on the line all the time in respect of their decisions.