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Petition Tag - rates
The Sky tariff is meant to reflect the Rateable Value of the premises. However there is a Rate Relief scheme in Wales which better reflects an area’s economic strength.
The Sky license should therefore reflect the actual rates paid as opposed to the Rateable Value.
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Mae pris Sky ar gyfer llefydd trwyddedig wedi ei osod er mwyn adlewyrchu gwerth ardrethol yr adeilad. Serch hynny mae yna ryddhad ardrethol yng Nghymru sydd yn adlewyrchu gwir gryfder economaidd yr ardal.
Dylai'r trwydded ar gyfer Sky adlewyrchu yr ardreth sy'n cael ei dalu yng Nghymru nid y gwerth ardrethol.
2. Equality in Business Rates for Pre-School Nurseries 
Business Rates are supposed to be a Property Tax, however the evidence that we have collated shows that Rates Assessors have appeared to ignore this, for example Careshare who have a purpose built nursery in Dunfermline, registered for 89 spaces, are paying the equivalent of £811.80 per registered child place compare this to another Careshare nursery which is also purpose built located at Port Hamilton in Edinburgh in the heart of the Capital’s financial district which is registered for 90 spaces, who are only paying the equivalent of £550.00 per registered child place.
The above is exacerbated by the fact that Careshare in Edinburgh charges more per day than the Careshare in Dunfermline, which is understandable, however the affluent area of St Andrews which is the location of the purpose built Wonderyears Nursery registered for 127 spaces, also charges the same per day as Careshare in Edinburgh, but is charged less than half the amount of Business Rates per registered place. The property in St Andrews is particularly relevant as this property is currently up for sale for over a seven figure sum. If Business Rates are a property tax then the above 3 examples clearly show the current system does not work.
It would appear that the Rates Assessor has based their calculations on the rental information provided by the Tenants, however not all Tenants have provided this information and even when they have, the Rates Assessor does not have the manpower to check that the information supplied is correct.
In cases where no rental figure is provided, the assessor has to effectively guess what the rental figure should be, this has lead directly to a dramatic variance in Business Rates. For example the previously mentioned nursery located on the desirable waterfront at East Sands, St Andrews, is not only 80% bigger than the Building Blocks Nursery located in an Industrial Estate in Rosyth, but has a Rateable Value of £8,600.00 lower. In this case either a mistake has been made in the calculations to ascertain the Rateable Valuation of these two properties or incorrect information has been submitted by the businesses to the local rates assessors.
Companies who have invested in new property are being held at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to Business Rates. It appears that the policy of Rates Assessors is that nurseries operating from old converted houses pay 2/3rd and those operating from “portacabin”s pay 1/3rd of the business rates which a purpose built building pays.
This Policy will effectively put an end to the investment and development of new build nurseries, and will result in older stock properties being adapted, which will not always result in the best environment for children, as they will not have disabled or environmentally friendly features etc. Surely as a modern society we should be encouraging the development of high quality sustainable premises to help nurture future generations.
In summary Business Rates is a property tax, however the table below shows that is not the case as we have highlighted in the examples above. Six of the top ten Nurseries on the chart below are located in Dunfermline and the surrounding area, despite the fact that in a recent report from HBOS, Dunfermline along with Kettering in Northamptonshire has suffered the highest fall in property prices in the UK.
Kempsey Shire Council's proposed application to IPART for a Special Rate Variation has been strongly opposed by the Kempsey Shire community, yet despite this the council decided to proceed with the application even though during the 2011 meetings it was firmly expressed it would cause considerable hardship to the community.
It raises serious concerns about community representation on issues affecting the community.
This is an opportunity to have your voice heard, as this petition will be delivered to the organisation IPART who make the decision on applications for Special Rate Variations and who consider community input.
4. Redland Ratepayers Want Rid of Allconnex
Redland City Council handed over all of the infrastructure and operations of water and waste water to Allconnex which resulted in increases that were inconsistent and unjustifiable to the People of the Gold Coast city.
Due to this increase and the forecast of increases for the next 3-5 years, the following petition has been formed.
5. Water is a Right to Sustain Life Not to Make a Profit
The Gold Coast City Council handed over all of the infrastructure and operations of water and waste water to Allconnex which resulted in increases that were inconsistent and unjustifiable to the People of the Gold Coast city.
Due to this increase and the forecast of increases for the next 3-5 years, the following petition has been formed.
6. Retrospective Land Tax - Valuation of Land and other Legislation Bill 2010
The Government will attempt to pass a bill very soon that will alter the way valuations on homes and small businesses are determined, therefore affecting Rates. The Bill will redefine "unimproved" to include the hard work of property owners, including (among other things) the buildings they have erected, the leases they have in place, business goodwill and infrastructure charges.
This will have profound effect on home owners who have done any improvements on their property (excluding their house), property investment in Queensland and will result in an even more desperate rental situation that already exists. When you don't have investors you don't have rental properties. These charges will be retrospective to 2002. If you own a home YOUR RATES WILL GO UP, this does not just apply to investors or business.
7. Oppose Increase in Water Rates
Monarch raised our water rates last year and now going to court to get approval to raise them.
Water rates have increase several times over the last 3 years.
It is intended to ask the KLCC Management to revise their current parking rate, and to show to them that many concerned members of the public are aware and agree that the current rate is just too expensive, if not unreasonable.
9. Vote NO on David Couch Immigrant Resolution
Councilmember David Couch introduced a resolution that has 3 prongs:
1. Declare English the official language of Bakersfield.
2. Investigate city services currently being utilized by undocumented immigrants.
3. Declare that Bakersfield will never become a sanctuary city for immigrants.
The Social Justice Task Force is asking concerned residents of Bakersfield to oppose David Couch's resolution. These resolutions would do nothing to effect Federal Immigration Law.
Instead this would increase racial profiling and racial hate crimes in an already divided city. Please sign petition below.
Bakersfield City Council will discuss and possibly vote on these resolutions on Wednesday, September 26th.
10. Unjustified Rate Increases to Mining Tenures within the Etheridge Shire
We the United Miners of the Etheridge Shire, draw to your attention the unfair, illegal and unjustified rate increases - without the Statutory Right to Appeal - on mining tenures.
The Etheridge Shire is located in Far North Queensland. It has a long and colourful mining history.
In the early 1980's our local Government commenced charging rates on mining tenures but without supplying any services. These rates have progressively increased with CPI.
On 15th August 2007, without any consultation with the community, ( as set out by law within the Local Government Act) the Etheridge Shire Council increased mining rates - in some instances over 1000%.
While this increase may have been sparked by record global commodity prices there is virtually no active mining within the Shire.
These rate increases are not sustainable and even if people decide to drop their mining tenures, that have possible cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars, they will still have to pay mining rents and rates for another 3 to 5 years to comply with the new mining and EPA regulations and bureaucratic red tape within the system.
The Etheridge Shire Council has also taken it upon themselves to remove the peoples Statutory Right to Appeal. The Etheridge Shire Council has also taken it upon themselves to rescind the right to pay off rates by installments.
11. Determine City of Marion Rates in the interests of residents
A small number of residents of the City of Marion responded to a survey that was recently undertaken into rates. Many phone calls however, were received in regard to the need for a survey as the Elected Members who are to make the decisions are just that - elected to make those decisions.
12. The Effect of Smoking On Teens
July 17, 2006
Teen smoking rates - which plummeted dramatically over the past eight years - now appear to be leveling off, a trend that concerns many public health experts.
They're worried not just about the diminishing numbers of teens who are choosing to quit, but also about what may be in store for the 1 million plus new smokers who are succumbing to the habit each year.
Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence produces significant health problems among young people, including cough and phlegm production, an increase in the number and severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness, an unfavorable lipid profile and potential retardation in the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function.
An estimated 440,000 Americans die each year from diseases caused by smoking.
Each day, nearly 6,000 children under 18 years of age start smoking; of these, nearly 2,000 will become regular smokers. That is almost 800,000 annually.
It is estimated that at least 4.5 million U.S. adolescents are cigarette smokers.
Approximately 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21.
If current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 million children will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease.
According to a 2001 national survey of high school students, the overall prevalence of current cigarette use was 28 percent.
Nearly graders and 5.5 percent of 8th graders smoke cigarettes daily.
Adolescents who smoke regularly can have just as hard a time quitting as long-time smokers.
Of adolescents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most of them report that they would like to quit, but are not able to do so.
Cigarette advertisements tend to emphasize youthful vigor, sexual attraction and independence themes, which appeal to teenagers and young adults struggling with these issues.
Tobacco use in adolescence is associated with a range of health-compromising behaviors, including being involved in fights, carrying weapons, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior and using alcohol and other drugs.
13. Reduce communication costs for our deployed soldiers
Feb 01, 2006
Deployed soldiers are being charged outrageous rates to call home to their families and for use of the internet.
Some soldiers are not able to afford to call home or use the internet.
This petition is designed to ask Congress to help reduce those rates for the Morale of the soldiers deployed and their families.
Do you think you've paid enough shipping rates? Do you think you've waited for weeks to get your order? Do you think you deserve a better and special treatment? So sign this petition, and bring amazon.com to Turkey!
15. A Secure Future for Bishop Guilfoyle Regional Catholic School
The concerned parents, in conjunction with PTA, request that the Diocese of Camden evaluate the state of the school; the tuition rates, the three-tier tuition base and the fundraising assessment assigned to PTA.
16. Petition For Truth regarding the benefits of vaginal birth vs. elective cesarean surgery
February 20, 2004
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has released a statement which addresses the ethics of decision making regarding elective, or on-demand, cesarean surgery.
ACOG notes in the statement that although a number of factors influence such decision making, ultimately the decision will come down to the patients concerns and the physicians understanding of the procedures risks and benefits.
However, ACOG also states that it is unclear whether or not a patient has the right to have a surgical procedure when there is no evidence to support the procedure, and makes no statement regarding a physicians responsibility to specifically inform the patient of the benefits of not having the procedure.
Meanwhile, the CDC reports that the cesarean rate has risen to 26.1%, the VBAC rate has dropped 23%, and maternal and newborn mortality rates are on the rise, due to the frequent complications associated with cesarean surgery.
Women are not being given the whole story when it comes to the safety and benefits of a vaginal birth for them and their baby. To see the statement, and these rates:
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr10-31-03-1.cfm
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/releases/03news/lowbirth.htm
Buckeye REC is an electric cooperative that certain people in Southern Ohio have as their electric provider through no choice of their own. We are frequently without service and their rates are higher than any other electric provider in the State of Ohio.
18. Abolish Insurance Redlining in Michigan
Introduction: Insurance Redlining in Michigan is out of control. Laws have been passed giving Insurance Companies greater freedom to continue Redlining. In fact, The Consumer Protection Act has been rendered useless. A few steps have been taken, like Our Govenor Granholm has created An Insurance Czar. Also, as noted in the following; The Senate Democratic Caucus formed its Consumer Protection Task Force. Chaired by senators Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) and Martha G. Scott (D-Highland Park), the task force will hold hearings across the state to
take testimony on insurance reform.
"Insurance reform is a top priority for our caucus," Sen. Jacobs said. "From the large
volume of constituent calls to our caucus, it is clear that Michigan citizens are looking for
answers to questionable rates and practices promulgated by the insurance industry.
For some folks, the issue is auto insurance related. For others, it's home and health insurance. We want to hear from all these concerned people. Their input is essential to the
development of legislation to address these issues."
Sen. Scott said, "The citizens of Detroit have been dealing with redlining for far too long. We understand that this issue is not exclusively a problem plaguing the city but many communities across the state. Now is the time to work with our new insurance commissioner to resolve redlining and other long-standing insurance problems and create a fair and level playing field for everyone in Michigan.
As noted on May 16, 2002 then Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm released the results of a statewide survey
her office conducted into the practice of insurance redlining in Michigan. In releasing the results - which showed disparities in auto rates of up to 17 percent in cities with similar
population sizes and auto theft rates, but with differing racial make-ups - Granholm announced that she has asked the insurance providers for an explanation of the rate differences.
She said: "The findings of the study are compelling - and disturbing - to say the least. The time has come for the industry to be more up front with their customers. Consumers pay
thousands of dollars a year to keep their homes and cars insured - they deserve to know how their rates are calculated." "Redlining" in the insurance industry is a discriminatory practice in which insurance
companies restrict the availability of insurance to people in particular geographic areas. In recent years, it has also been associated with the practice of tying credit scores to
insurance rates. Since redlining based solely on racial factors is illegal, Granholm has asked the insurance companies for an explanation of the rate disparities her study found.
Granholm's office reviewed 60 auto insurance quotes obtained for six pairs of Michigan cities that were similar in size and auto theft rates, but had different racial compositions.
The results showed that in five out of the six city pairs, the same individual in a community with a sizeable African-American population paid a higher rate by an average of 14
percent. The unscientific study compared insurance rates for a 33-year-old single, female home-owner attempting to insure a 2001 Chevy Cavalier in Madison Heights and Inkster; Burton and Oak Park; Sturgis and Albion; Dearborn and Southfield; Taylor and Pontiac; and Melvindale and Benton Harbor. Staff requested on-line insurance quotes from Allstate, GMAC Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Geico, and Esurance.com.
A second study, using the same female and the same auto, compared rates between neighborhoods in the city of Detroit versus its border cities. The follow-up survey demonstrated average disparities of nearly 30 percent between rates based on addresses as
close as a few blocks away. In one instance, the six-month premium to insure the Cavalier at a Detroit address on Jefferson was $5,000, more than 67 percent higher than the
premium to insure the same automobile at a Jefferson address just a few blocks away in Grosse Pointe Park.
Granholm began the study - and a general review of discrimination in the financial industry - earlier this year after her Consumer Protection Division received a number of consumer
complaints regarding potential insurance redlining and the use of credit scores in insurance rate setting. Recent court decisions and changes in Michigan law, however, have stripped the Attorney General's office of its ability to use the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to
challenge potentially unfair business practices in the insurance industry. Granholm forwarded the study results - and complaints received by her office -to Michigan Insurance Commissioner Frank Fitzgerald for his review and analysis earlier this month.
Granholm asked Fitzgerald to join her in encouraging the insurance companies to interject more transparency into their rate-setting and suggested that the two work together to explore the practice of using credit scores to set insurance rates. In her letter, Granholm said: "...The lack of transparency within the industry will continue to erode public confidence and increase public skepticism concerning industry underwriting and rate-setting practices. I look forward to working with you on these
issues..."
And Finally, our various local government representatives are holding many townhall meetings across the state to discuss Insurance Redlining.
19. Building Codes
This is a petition concerning the Building Codes and Restrictions set forth by Blue Water Oaks HomeOwner's Association.
Policy Page C-3 of the Blue Water Oaks HomeOwner's Association states that each portable building or mobile home brought into the addition must first have a photo submitted to the Association for approval. By moving in the mobile home on Mariner Court that appears to have been torn down once, it has and will continue to bring our property value down and our insurance rates up since most homeowner's insurance companies take note of the properties surrounding your home. Please sign this petition to have the mobile home removed.
20. California Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day
California still has one of the highest teen birth rates in the nation. This results in serious implications for the teens, tax payers, their children and the community. 22% of teens giving birth in California had given birth previously. Up to 80% of parenting and pregnant teens drop out of high schooland aquire less skills to be self-sufficient. The majority of teen parents depend on welfare. Unemployment rates are high for teen parents. Medical complications, due to their age, and poor prenatal care are contributing to the high cost of our health care system.
Billions of dollars in State and Federal money is spent on teen pregnancy related issues.
21. Raise Direct Support Staff (MR/DD) Rates
Direct Support Staff who work with people with developmental disabilities do not recieve adequate compensation for the work they do. They are often asked to work long hours doing very demanding work that affects people's lives. They cannot make a living wage working at just one job. Most are single mothers trying to raise their family and they must take two or more jobs to make ends meet.
Most importantly, the work they do is very important for the people they work with and for society. By paying direct support staff minimum wage or slightly above they and their work is devalued. Caring for other human beings the hardest and most important work in our society. They should be paid accordingly and should recieve a living wage.
22. Petition the U.S. Congress to Enact Student Loan Program Reform
As you may or may not know, student loan interest rates have recently dropped to an all-time of low 4.06% (previously 8.25%).
Those of us who opted to consolidate and benefit by having just one monthly payment, ARE NOW BARRED FROM THE NEW LOWER RATES.
Congress will be voting on student loan issues in early 2003! The following is a petition intended to convince congress to pass legislature that would permit ALL student loan borrowers to benefit from lowered rates AT ANY TIME. We should have the freedom to choose to reconsolidate or keep our fixed rate according to what would financially benefit us most. Student Loans are a public service - they should serve us better!
We have more power to evoke change then you might think!
23. Stamp out the Corporate Greed of Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable is one of the nations largest high-speed bandwidth ISP's. For years and years they have offered broadband connections that many of us use on a daily basis. They have recently announced that they are planning on raising rates for heavy bandwidth users who will pay an additional monthly fee. This means a monthly bandwdith limit which end users are not able to monitor. We are supposed to put our trust into TWC to charge us what they feel is fair.
This is pretty much equal to 'Big Monopolistic Corporations make another money squeeze. No real competition allowed.'
Another show of greed.... Time Warner is not loosing money. They are diverse in many areas of telecommunications, TV, etc.... This is no different than lets say.... hmmm... Record labels creating anti copy-protection that denies a consumer from making "legal copies" for themselves in order to suck more money from our pockets. Yes, there is a thing called inflation.... Yes, companies need to raise prices to equal the overhead... But in this case and many others, they are just plain old greedy. Time Warner and other ISP's lure their customers with fixed rates and then they hijack them by raising prices knowing we will pay because there are few options. It's the ol' way of fisting the public for more and more money.
There is only one way to deal with greedy companies... What's the magic word you may ask? BOYCOTT!!!! It has worked before. If companies think they will loose a majority of their customer base, they will back away from "bad" pricing, marketing, and other business strategies.
Here is what I suggest:
1: spread the word that RR (Road Runner) will hike their prices. Make sure to clarify that it is not because of "illegal" activities, hell I can suck up bandwidth just playing online games. Point out that it can effect everyone, the day trader, the gamer, the average user, EVERYONE.....
Second: Encourage people to flood Time Warner with e-mail, phone calls, and other means expressing that such price hikes are simply unacceptable. This will only work if they receive complaints on a mass scale.
Third: If Time Warner continues with their future business model, then we all need to boycott them. This too must happen on a mass scale. Its up to "US" the users to put an end to ISP price gouging. If you don't, then you are only bitching sideways (someone who complains but never takes action).
Now, if that it is the case, (people only bitching sideways) Time Warner will continue to make everyone bend over and you can bet others will follow soon. So, lets all make a pact to declare WAR on AOL, Time Warner, and other ISP's who feel that sucking the consumer for every last penny is good business.