Legal ruling sought on rates plan
A proposal that rating relief be granted on the basis of the benefits paid to means-test beneficiaries, made by the chairman (Mr E. L. Tyndall) at a meeting of" the Heathcote County Council last evening, was referred to the Audit Department for a ruling as to whether it was legal. The council when aware of hardship gave rating relief either by remitting part of the rates, or suspending them, said Mr Tyndall. The council was aware of the considerale burden of rate increases on hardship cases and he thought remissions should be based on the means test. “The County Clerk (Mr K. D. Stills) says this is not legal, but we could refer this to the Audit Department,” he said. Cr J. N. Rathbun said that the council should show its
concern for those in desperate financial circumstances. The proposal would receive public support and this would encourage the Government to be more charitable to those in need. The present legal requirement of undue hardship was unreasonable. “If benefits are justified, surely it is right for the council to give relief along the same lines,” he said.
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Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32965, 11 July 1972, Page 14
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193Legal ruling sought on rates plan Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32965, 11 July 1972, Page 14
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