Victory in Tunbridge Wells!

There was excellent news for taxpayers in Tunbridge Wells this week as the council announced that it had shelved plans to build new council offices as part of a £90 million project <[link removed]>. From day one the Calverley Square project faced strong opposition from local residents and business owners.

In July this year TPA staff and volunteers visited the historic town <[link removed]> to campaign against the project. Thanks to our efforts we have been successful in getting this vanity project scrapped and it shows the valuable role grassroots action days can play in local politics.

<[link removed]>
Back in July we called for the Calverley Square project to be scrapped

The scheme would have saddled ratepayers with 50 years of debt on a loan of £77 million. I wholeheartedly welcome the council's decision to scrap this project but it never should have been started in the first place. Despite its cancellation it has still cost the taxpayer £10 million.

Let me know what we should campaign on in your area. <mailto:[email protected]>

Grassroots news

The cost of councillors

Next Saturday we will be campaigning in Ashfield and Mansfield to expose the difference in councillors' allowances (also known as members' allowances) between councils. Despite very similar population sizes the cost of councillors (basic allowance, travel expenses etc) are noticeably higher in Mansfield (£466,000 in 2017/18) than Rushcliffe (£233,000 in 2017/18) for example. 



Worse still, Ashfield District Council has recently appointed an additional 5 cabinet members costing taxpayers an additional £60,000. Many thanks to a concerned TPA supporter who tipped us off.

We are now examining the differences in allowances between other councils across the country; more action days will no doubt follow.

Let me know your thoughts on councillors' allowances <mailto:[email protected]>

Burdens on business tour

To promote The Bumper Book of Burdens on Business <[link removed]> I will be attending business exhibitions across the country. A full list of events can be found below and all are free to attend.

Basildon Business Expo
When: Thursday 24th October, 10am to 3pm
Where: Holiday Inn, Basildon (map <[link removed]>)
basildonbusinessexpo.co.uk <[link removed]>

North East Expo
When: Thursday 14th November, 9am to 4pm
Where: Falcons Stadium, Newcastle upon Tyne (map <[link removed]>)
northeastexpo.co.uk/tickets/ <[link removed]>

South West Business Expo
When: Wednesday 20th November, 9.30am to 3.30pm
Where: Westpoint Arena, Exeter (map <[link removed]>)
southwestbusinessexpo.co.uk/book-your-tickets/ <[link removed]>

Highlights from ThinkTent 2019

Following a very enjoyable and interesting conference season I thought it worth highlighting some of the excellent panel discussions we had at our ThinkTent event in Manchester.

In conversation with Rt Hon Esther McVey MP

Our chief executive John O'Connell sat down in front of a packed audience with minister of state for House and Planning, Esther McVey. They discussed everything from Brexit to housing and what must be done to the make UK economy more prosperous. Click here to watch the discussion. <[link removed]>



Death and taxes: Should inheritance tax be scrapped?

The chancellor Sajid Javid recently hinted <[link removed]> that inheritance tax could be scrapped which follows years of campaigning by the TaxPayers' Alliance. A stellar panel including former Chair of the Office of Tax Simplification Angela Knight CBE and our very own Duncan Simpson discussed the case for scrapping this hated tax. Click here to watch the discussion. <[link removed]>

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TaxPayers' Alliance in the news

No-deal peace package

On Friday we published a new  <[link removed]>research paper calling for a package of tax cuts <[link removed]> which could bring the country together in the event of a 'no-deal' Brexit. Should this happen the government could promote a competitive, low-tax and pro-enterprise economy. 

Writing for popular political website ConservativeHome our chief executive John O'Connell outlined his thoughts on the paper <[link removed]>:

"Popular reforms targeted at five key taxes (corporation tax, business rates, income tax, stamp duty land tax and air passenger duty) could provide a timely confidence boost among both businesses and consumers. A package of strategic tax cuts would also sharpen incentives across the economy, enhancing investment, productivity and earnings – surely the number one long-term economic priority after a decade of barely-existent growth."

<[link removed]>

Let me know your thoughts on the 'no-deal peace package'. <mailto:[email protected]>

Counting cash

The Scottish Sun recently reported that Glasgow council chief Annemarie O'Donnell received additional pay of nearly £100,000 for overseeing elections since 2015.

According to the paper, "Figures show Ms O’Donnell was paid a total of £22,663 for the 2015 general election. She pocketed a combined £29,420.50 for the 2016 EU referendum and Scottish Parliament elections. And the 2017 general election earned her £21,405."



Commenting on the news our research director Duncan Simpson said, "Many town hall bosses are continuing to pocket huge remuneration packages. Whatever extra responsibilities they take on, council officials should be doing their best to deliver value for money."

Do you think the extra pay of nearly £100,000 was justified? <mailto:[email protected]>

Blog of the weekTPA responds to Extinction Rebellion

Many parts of central London were rather unhelpfully brought to a standstill this week due to climate protests. Writing his first blog for the TPA our new researcher Darwin Friend explained how contrary to the claims of Extinction Rebellion, capitalism is the solution, not the problem <[link removed]>. He writes:

"...in reality it is clear that the solutions to climate change won’t be provided by restrictions, but freedom with capitalism and free markets creating the innovations needed to improve the environment. As we show in our recent Freedom Factbook <[link removed]> – which we’re happy to provide to any Extinction Rebellion protestors who want a copy - sulphur emissions have declined across the globe <[link removed]>."

Extinction Rebellion protesters in Westminster this week.

And there's even better news at home, "Here in the UK emissions have fallen by 95 per cent since 1990 and between 1982 to 2016 the area of our planet covered by trees <[link removed]> has increased by more than nine times the size of the UK."

Let me know your thoughts on the climate change protests <mailto:[email protected]>

War on WasteA 5 star council chief executive?

Regular readers may recall that Surrey Heath Borough council chief executive Karen Whelan was awarded a pay rise of 37 per cent <[link removed]>, bringing her total earnings to just shy of £200,000. It has now transpired that she recently billed the taxpayer for a £400 stay in the luxury 5 star Langham Hotel <[link removed]> in central London.



Reported by SurreyLive following a freedom of information request, the council tried to defend the opulence saying "that it always tries to balance cost and safety when booking overnight accommodation for its staff".

Our political director James Roberts said the council was "leeching off residents" by allowing its staff to enjoy such "largesse". Ms Whelan has been placed on 'special leave' while an investigation takes place into her salary and expenses.

What do you think the outcome of the investigation should be? <mailto:[email protected]>

Harry Fone
Grassroots Campaign ManagerDonate to the TaxPayers' Alliance <[link removed]>



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