Council Taxband disquiet

Dear Editor

I have been living in this country now for five years (after having been away for 15 years and paying all my taxes) and I can no longer keep quiet about the issue of Council Tax.

I have saved for most of my life to be able to afford a property in a place I call home.

I earn an average wage in accordance with the part-time job scale in Scotland. The property I bought happens to be in Dunblane and is rated an F band. The property is split into two so the Council gets £4,000 a year from the one property.

Most of the properties on my road are large houses that have been renovated and turned into apartments.

Based on each individual property within the initial building having to pay £2,000 per year, that is a nice sum the council collects annually and just from my street.

So what do I get that is any different than that of a A – E Band rated property? Do two fire engines turn up if they are needed? A more sophisticated ambulance and I get priority? Do the police take my call first? Do the bin men turn up on time? Are the potholes in my road fixed first? Is my water any purer than those of a lesser band?

Could someone please tell me what luxury I am paying for just because I have chosen to live in a village that I have always called home?

One should not make the assumption that because you live at a certain address you can afford to pay a higher rate for the same council service that everyone gets.

Sarah Cullen By email