37. LETTER
TO
THE
COMMISSIONER
FROM
BEN
WALLACE
MP, MEMBER
FOR
LANCASTER
AND
WYRE,
7 MAY
2009
Further to your investigation into the second homes
allowance claimed by the Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP I ask that you
take into account the findings of the attached Freedom of Information
requests.
You will see that Redditch Borough Council have provided
details of the Council Tax paid in respect of Ms Smith's constituency
address. The Council confirm that full Council Tax has been paid
in respect of the property and that no claim was made for either
a second home discount or a single person discount.
I am sure you are familiar with the legislation surrounding
reductions in Council Tax but for clarity I shall detail the arrangements
operated by Redditch Borough Council. The Council offers a reduction
in Council Tax Liability of 25% if there is only one adult living
in the property as their main home and a discount of 50% if no
one lives there.
Given that the Home Secretary has claimed the Additional
Costs Allowance on the basis that her main home is meant to be
London I believe this latest revelation is worthy of further consideration
by your Office.
2. Response to Freedom of Information request
Thank you for your request for information below.
The answers to your questions are:
REQUEST # 1
The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, has not benefited
from a "second home" council tax discount at […
Road]. The charge has been calculated on the basis of there being
two adult residents in the property.
REQUEST # 2
The Register of Electors is held by the Electoral
Registration Officer (ERO) who is not a designated public authority
for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However,
in response to your question:
(a) Jacqui Smith is registered on the RoE and her
registration details are freely available on the public version
of the Register (she has not opted out) in relation to her address
in [the constituency]. (N.B. The ERO would not normally reveal
the address to any enquirer; but would only confirm the registration
at a given address, as in this instance.)
(b) The ERO does not collect this information as
it is not required for electoral purposes.
(c) This is not something the ERO makes available
or currently holds (as electors can now re-register by phone or
e-mail).
REQUEST # 3
Details for 1997/98 to 2003/04 have not been provided
as these years pre-date Jacqui Smith's liability at this address.
The amount of council tax paid in respect of this
property since 28 May 2004 to date is:
28 May 2004 to 31 March 2005 £1,225.80
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 £1,508.47
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2007 £1,578.82
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2008 £1,655.20
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2009 £1,727.86
1 April 2005 to 31 March 2010 £1,788.10
REQUEST # 4
Payments have been made by the residents of the
property, not a third party.
REQUEST #5
The council tax band that [… Road] was placed
in by the Valuation Office Agency was Band E.
7 May 2009
| 
