Mike Cox's Leader's Column December 2008

12.51.53pm GMT Wed 3rd Dec 2008

Cllr Mike Cox

The world has certainly been turned on its head in the last few months. Major UK banks have effectively been nationalised, the government break all its fiscal rules to stimulate the economy, Police use terrorist laws to arrest a leading MP and a shocking slaughter occurs in Mumbai.

Am I the only one who thinks the world has gone a bit mad? In the middle of all this ordinary people have to go about their everyday life.

This week a disabled resident asked for my help. She is threatened with a summons by Hillingdon Council. Her mistake was to pay her Council tax a few days in arrears and so she gets hit with £95 of additional court costs for an outstanding debt of £150. She is currently juggling an existence while she tries to pay for her elderly mothers care home charges.

I am also trying to help a young local businessman with a new family who is facing massive debts because people have taken advantage of the current crisis by delaying or refusing to pay his invoices. He has now worked 30 days on the trot to ensure his employees get their wages. Meanwhile Hillingdon Council have imposed huge 50% plus rent increases on the most vulnerable small local shops in the borough.

We rightfully criticise banks for the way they have conducted their business squeezing the smallest and most vulnerable to cover the mistakes they have made. It is important that Hillingdon Council also reviews its own assessment and collection procedures to help those residents and businesses most in need to get through the current crisis.