Does Freer's left hand know what his right hand is up to?

There is an interesting press release from Barnet Council Leader Mike Freer today. It details how Barnet has only collected 96.3% of Council Tax this year. This means that we all have to pay more money to subsidise those who don't. Looked at another way, it probably means that, statistically at least, there's probably 7 or 8 households in my road paying nothing, whilst I pay over £2,000 per year. I guess that there are three main reasons why people don't pay.

1 - They move on and can't be traced
2 - They have financial difficulty and can't pay
3- There are administrative failures resulting in non collection

If people know they are moving abroad and deliberately run up arreas, that is hard to deal with. I have no issue with the council, here as their options are limited. The other two categories are slightly different. I'd like to see the breakdown for the reasons. All failures of administration are inexcusable and I'd expect the council to be taking urgent action to remedy this. Maybe we'll get a post on the Leader Listens website to explain how much the Council is costing us? If the figures I've been told unofficially are correct, then it would spare us the cuts to the welfare service, cancel the increase to the infant burials and give us a small but welcome tax cut.

Then there is the third group. Those that can't pay because of financial difficulty.

In his press release, Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Freer said:

"The collection of Council Tax is an important function which ensures that the services we provide to residents can be maintained and I am delighted that once again we have seen a further increase and improvement of performance.

"While it is difficult for the council to trace some absconded debtors, particularly those of a transient nature, we do everything possible and urge those who are struggling with their bills to contact our dedicated teams for advice and assistance."

You may think that it is good that Mike Freer cares about those in financial difficulty. You might think it is great that the Council has dedicated teams helping those in difficulty. Well it seems to me that Mike's left hand doesn't know what his right hand is up to, because his regime have proposed that the Welfare Rights Unit, which helps people to claim benefits, be closed down.

Here's the page to have a look at :-
http://www.barnet.gov.uk/index/council-democracy/consultations/welfare-rights-unit-budget-consultation.htm

The Tories are making political hay out of the current recession and the rising unemployment figures, but at the ground level, they are cutting the budgets of departments that help people. Rather ironically this week, I've been featuring the role of Barnet Councils Political Officers. David Miller estimates that the cost of these people to the taxpayer, who's sole job is to help Barnets Tories stay true to their creed, is £175,000. The budget for the welfare rights unit that will help anyone in difficulty is £180,000. Which provides the Barnet Taxpayer with better value for money?

I'm afraid that I won't believe that the Tories have changed and now care for us ordinary folk, until they start putting the wellbeing of the general public before the pockets of party lackeys. What amazes me is that it really shouldn't be a hard shout for a Tory regime to make, should it?