As the last few council tax bills arrive on doormats this week, local residents have reacted in fury as they note the increases in the amounts due for the services provided by the All-New-Yet-Unimproved Somerset Cuonty Council, Fire Authority and Somerset Police.
But it is the seven percent increase demanded by Smalltown and Dullbridge (SaD) Town Council that has really incurred wrath, with some residents declaring that they are going to boycott paying that part of their bills.
Several residents confirmed that they simply don’t have the money to pay their bills due to the cost of living crisis, with some claiming that Town Councillors “obviously don’t live in the real world” and many questioning exactly what they get for their money.
“It’s ridiculous. I can’t think of a single service that SaD provide. We don’t pay them for roads, waste collection, education or housing. So what do they use our money for? A Christmas Party for councillors?”
Councillor Fencesitter responded to the criticism saying “The Town Council has never had a Christmas Party.”
When quizzed as to what the Council use the money for, Cllr Fencesitter retreated behind his rock and in a muffled voice said “I don’t know. I’m not a Town Councillor.” rather than admit that most of the increase will be used to cover the costs of keeping his beloved White Elephant Enclosure open.
Residents are now considering mounting a campaign to boycott both the SaD Town Council portion of the bill as well as the White Elephant Enclosure – or at least they would boycott the WEE if only they had enough money to purchase a ticket for a show in the first place.