Sick OAP axes her council tax (From The Argus)
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Sick OAP axes her council tax
4:20pm Friday 7th December 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
Jane O'Hea has cancelled her council tax payments in protest at lack of support for vulnerable people
A pensioner has cancelled her council tax payments blaming the “appalling” approach by authorities to supporting vulnerable people.
Jane O’Hea claims she is “incapacitated” by emphysema, a lung condition which means she can only walk a very short distance.
To get around and keep her mind active, the 77-year-old, who lives alone in a flat in Wilbury Road, Hove, claims she has to take taxis to various events.
However, when she asked Brighton and Hove City Council for some financial support, she was told it was only able to offer her £70 in taxi vouchers a year – as well as giving up her bus pass.
This is despite her spending about £50 a week on the cab fares.
Ms O’Hea said she is “appalled” at how England treats its elderly and vulnerable people and has cancelled her council tax payments in protest.
Offer of help
After being contacted by The Argus, the local authority has said its adult social care team has been in touch to offer her help.
But Ms O’Hea, who is a former medical secretary, claims it is not enough.
She said: “I really cannot believe this can possibly be considered of any help to me.
Doctor appointments “I cannot go anywhere at all now without using a taxi.
“I am an OAP, I am on a fixed income, I have a very small pension.
“I do not have the money to pay the council £96 a month.
“I am absolutely furious, it is quite unbelievable.”
Personal support
Among the activities she attends are bridge club and community lunches, as well as regular doctor appointments.
Each journey costs about £5 each way.
She said: “If I didn’t do them then I would go insane. I live alone you see and it’s the only support I get.”
Ms O’Hea, who moved to Sussex in 2010, said she does nothing at weekends.
A council spokesman said: “Our adult social care team has been in touch with Ms O’Hea and has offered her support.
“Our council tax team is currently looking into Ms O’Hea’s council tax situation in liaison with adult social care staff.”
He added the council was unable to comment on individual cases when it came to council tax payments.
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Comments(20)
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
5:09pm Fri 7 Dec 12
The old, cold, poor and frail are not part of eco ideology probably because you have the heating on all day and that's naughty.
PETE OF QUEENS PARK
says...
5:42pm Fri 7 Dec 12
AmboGuy
says...
6:05pm Fri 7 Dec 12
leobrighton
says...
7:14pm Fri 7 Dec 12
lorrie1
says...
7:19pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Camel54
says...
7:39pm Fri 7 Dec 12
I feel very sorry for Mrs O'Hea, but G Osborne says you must die young so he can cut taxes before the next election. If you can't survive on £70 a week or get a job, then tough. I expect that the poor woman will be declared fit for work any day now.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
8:04pm Fri 7 Dec 12
And Lucas and Kitecat (I know you read these comments because Jason "I don't wear ties because I am so cool" complained about me to the editor see what you are doing.
I hope the old gal sorts it out and good on her for her stance.
HJarrs
says...
9:31pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Sadly, society has not and continues not to properly support people like Jane.
AmboGuy
says...
10:05pm Fri 7 Dec 12
HJarrs wrote:Yes but it's not 'society' that needs to act now is it? It's our caring Green council that needs to act.
The usual suspects post the usual rubbish without commenting that it was the parties that they support that prevented a small rise in council tax last year that resulted in millions being taken from the council's budget nor do they make mention of the savage government cuts in the last few years or deep cuts to be made in the next few years.
Sadly, society has not and continues not to properly support people like Jane.
How very politician of you to blame this poor lady's predicament on the problems inherited by the current Green administration.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
10:25pm Fri 7 Dec 12
You really need to open your eyes and smell the coffee.
The snot Greens have more hate in them than the BNP.
Why is it only fools like you see their worth?
funkyyoyo
says...
12:07am Sat 8 Dec 12
for a penny !!!'
greenpaws
says...
8:29am Sat 8 Dec 12
This seems highly like a political stunt or greed.
If she was that incapacitated by breathing issues, she would have wheelchair, then requiring a taxi. As she can walk, she can use a bus.
Many people suffer also and still use a bus ok.
greenpaws
says...
8:32am Sat 8 Dec 12
It has nothing to do with the Greens. Look at the nutters go yapper!
Tories and Labour voted AGAINST more money for council.
Tories and Liberal are cutting BHCC NOT Greens.
Morpheus
says...
9:56am Sat 8 Dec 12
Tallywhacker
says...
10:27am Sat 8 Dec 12
ourcoalition
says...
12:33pm Sat 8 Dec 12
As a post above, says "Wake up and smell the coffee".
Do you want a decent society that treats the vulnerable, the old, and the disabled, in a civilised manner?
If so, get out there and do something - even if it's just a letter/email to your MP.
Dealing with idiots
says...
1:19pm Sat 8 Dec 12
Vote of no confidence in the Green administration e- petition now live on the Brighton and Hove City Council website. If you love your city and want to end the waste and destruction of the Greens, please sign the petition. We need 1250 signatures to get this discussed in full council. Surely there are 1250 angry people in the city who want to make a difference? Save Our City.
http://present.brigh
ton-hove.gov.uk/mgEP
etitionDisplay.aspx?
ID=360&RPID=6033530&
HPID=6033530
Valerie Paynter
says...
9:09pm Sat 8 Dec 12
Tallywhacker wrote:BHCC Adult Social Care and Health have been paying for people's social life for some years now - under their Direct Payment scheme.
£50 a week on taxi but can't pay £96 a month for council tax? Sorry but I don't expect my tax to pay for someones social life. Go out less, invite people over then they travel you don't.
When the Tories were in power and Ken Norman was the Cabinet Member for that Dept. I listened to Denise da Souza address a council meeting and felt sick as a pig.
She banged on about a retired woman who missed her workmates so BHCC awarded her the money to go and visit them. I've never forgotten it.
Disability Living Allowance has a mobility component and it is awarded by the Dept of Work and Pensions for getting around.
I can WELL believe this lady would struggle with buses and needs taxis. Indeed she probably specifies 'saloon' cars when she rings for one.
BHCC provides taxi vouches to the disabled who are unable to use buses. She may be too old to qualify for DLA but she should discuss this with her GP.
Disability is pretty humiliating on top of what aging and the losses that brings to most. She needs information, advice and help. I would not recommend to my worst enemy that they go to BHCC Adult Social Care & Health to get it!
ourcoalition
says...
9:27pm Sat 8 Dec 12
Valerie Paynter wrote:I have difficulty believing that Valerie Paynter actually would say the above rubbish. When you are knocking BHCC ASC, you are rubbishing 1,000 decent, hard-working, home carers, residential workers, social workers, and, dare I say it, the so-called "back office staff", who despite the appalling names they are called, actually keep the whole of the service functioning.
Tallywhacker wrote:BHCC Adult Social Care and Health have been paying for people's social life for some years now - under their Direct Payment scheme.
£50 a week on taxi but can't pay £96 a month for council tax? Sorry but I don't expect my tax to pay for someones social life. Go out less, invite people over then they travel you don't.
When the Tories were in power and Ken Norman was the Cabinet Member for that Dept. I listened to Denise da Souza address a council meeting and felt sick as a pig.
She banged on about a retired woman who missed her workmates so BHCC awarded her the money to go and visit them. I've never forgotten it.
Disability Living Allowance has a mobility component and it is awarded by the Dept of Work and Pensions for getting around.
I can WELL believe this lady would struggle with buses and needs taxis. Indeed she probably specifies 'saloon' cars when she rings for one.
BHCC provides taxi vouches to the disabled who are unable to use buses. She may be too old to qualify for DLA but she should discuss this with her GP.
Disability is pretty humiliating on top of what aging and the losses that brings to most. She needs information, advice and help. I would not recommend to my worst enemy that they go to BHCC Adult Social Care & Health to get it!
If you want to keep the minimal service we now have for the elderly, then you need to fight for it.
This is nothing to do with a Green Council, or a blue or red one, but the reality of this Governments cuts.
And on Denise D'Souza - I have weekly disagreements with her and other managers in ASC, but I have never had cause to question her integrity!
If you want a decent country, then your fight is with the Government and big business, not with your own people in BHCC.
Hove Actually says...
4:53pm Fri 7 Dec 12