Spare Bedroom Subsidy

The whole scheme has been badly thought out from the beginning.

I agree that there is something wrong in the taxpayer paying housing benefit for houses that are larger than needed  ... remember it's only socially rented, that housing benefit pays for, properties that are affected. Remember also that pensioners are exempt.

I also think that something need be done about the abuses of the system ... but that's another story

Why not simply give a "free" spare bedroom in the system? Surely every one must agree that the tax payer should not be paying for over-large houses that are bigger than needed., but a spare bedroom for visitors should be necessary for everyone.

So a single person, or a couple, would only have their benefit reduced in a 3 ( or more) bedroom property.

A family of three ( couple plus 1 child) would only have their benefit reduced if in a four bedroom house.

So, a spare bedroom for family interaction , and remaining outside the subsidy.

And remember, privately rented, or owned, properties, are not part of the system. I have lost count of the number of questions from people who own their houses worrying because their children have moved out and thinking that they were going to be charged the "bedroom tax"

Blyth Town Council , meetings for July 2014

The following meetings are scheduled to be held in July

All meetings are at Arms Evertyne House, and start at 6:30 pm

1st   Planning & Development Committee *

3rd   Finance Committee

8th   Community Grants Committee

17th   Full Council and public question time

24th   Planning & Development Committee

29th   Events Committee 

31st   Assets  Committee  (Postponed until August, Details to follow )

* This meeting may be cancelled, depending on the level of business. Please check with the council

Blyth Maritime Festival - July 19th and 20th

Blyth Town Council, meetings week beginning 23rd June

There are two meetings at Blyth Town Council next week

Events Committee , Tuesday 24th June , 6:30 at Arms Evertyne House

Staff Committee, Thursday 26th June, 6:30 at Arms Evertyne House

Because of the nature of the Agenda items, the Staff Committee will be held under Part II ( ie with the public excluded due to the personal nature of the items being discussed )

Blyth Town Council, Meetings week beginning 16th June

There are no Committee Meetings at Blyth Town Council next week, but there is one meeting of the Policy Working Group  , on Thursday 19th June at 6:30 pm

The public are not usually admitted to the working group meetings.

Blyth Town Council, Meetings Week commencing 9th June 2014

As far as I am aware, there is only one meeting at BTC next week

Thursday 12th June, 6:30 pm;  Planning & Development Committee

Blyth Town Council, meetings week commencing 2nd June

There are two meetings at Blyth Town Council next week

Allotments Committee, Tuesday 3rd June , 6:30 pm

Assets Committee, Thursday 5th June , 6:30 pm

Both meetings will be held at Arms Evertyne House