An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series investigating topics affecting life in the North East, in this episode presenter Ian Payne talks with several homeowners who could be affected by the government proposals to re-evaluate the council tax. Title: Northern Eye. An Englishman’s Castle… Ian Payne walks along a suburban street introducing this editions of Northern Eye on proposed government plans to make some changes to the council tax. A montage featuring some of those interviewed in...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television series investigating topics affecting life in the North East, in this episode presenter Ian Payne talks with several homeowners who could be affected by the government proposals to re-evaluate the council tax. Title: Northern Eye. An Englishman’s Castle… Ian Payne walks along a suburban street introducing this editions of Northern Eye on proposed government plans to make some changes to the council tax. A montage featuring some of those interviewed in this programme. A graphic featuring an image of Sir Michael Lyons, the man the government has asked to look at option for a future revaluation of properties. Beside him a ladder and images of a country view, a conservatory and a man doing home improvements which could be affected. Ian Payne approaches and goes inside the cottage of Connie Corbett. In her back garden she is asked about the prospect of a valuation officer knocking on her door. She is disgusted, it is an invasion of her privacy. General views of the village and church where Connie lives. She talks about the VAT she has already paid on home improvements; she believes the government wants to control everything. Ian asks what her response will she give if the inspector comes knocking; go away she replied. In his garden David Pearson tells Ian that these proposals are both horrific and amusing; the idea that someone will be able to come into his home and demand to see his amenities. As he talks views of the home which has had extensive alterations done to it as well as the garden and surrounding Northumberland countryside. David explains that it is easy for the government to tax properties, he and his family have worked hard, made sacrifices, and paid their taxes for what they have produced. He admits it was a choose for him to move to this part of Northumberland where there is no shop or pub in the village and only a struggling Post Office. He is concerned that any taxes raised, he would see little benefit to his circumstances. In a garden setting Ian Payne speaks with John Hipkin, a pensioner’s rights campaigner. On being asked if he is a ‘rebellious campaigner’ John replied he is more interested in natural justice for all age groups. As he speaks people walking along a busy street, he believes there needs to be a balance between the common good and the rights of the individual. On being asked what he would do should an inspector comes knocking he doesn’t believe he has the authority to stop him, there is a logic in having people who have the authority to carry out spot checks. General views inside various rooms inside a house, John says that if you improve your home then you make it more valuable and so should expect the council tax rates to go up. A man working in a CCTV control room and John being asked if peoples privacy is being invaded. He sees the current issues people have with the government is a natural reaction to the growing power of bureaucracy without consultation with the common man. Ian walks along the street and asks how we would feel if an inspector calls and would we be able to stop them. He turns a corner and meets Ashley M. Wilson, Head of Law School at Newcastle University. They shake hands and Ian asking where does the law stand in the matter? He explains that if the government really want to do it then they can, however there are politic considerations to be made. Ashley is asked what happens if you refuse to co-operate, he explains you could be fines leading to possible imprisonment for non-cooperation. He provides more details on the current legal standing of the law and about its links to protests following the Poll Tax. Finally, Ashley is asked if he would let an inspector in? With a smile he states that he would co-operate. In an office at Tyne Tees Television Ian sits at a desk looking at footage from CCTV cameras on one computer monitor, and on the second a satellite image of Great Britain focusing in firstly the northeast and then an individual house. Ian explains that every day we all caught on close-circuit-television and ‘big brother’ can already look at your back garden. Title: Northern Eye. An Englishman’s Castle… The second part of this edition opens on crowds enjoying Cullercoats beach on a summer’s day. Sitting along the promenade at Whitley Bay with St Mary’s Lighthouse in the background, Ian Payne speaks with Peter Bensimon who as part of a resident’s association that fought development plans on a nearby car park which would have spoiled resident’s views. However, now Peter has learned that he could be charged extra onto his council tax for having said view. As he is unemployed and living on Income Support, he would have to think hard about if could pay it. As he speaks views of said car park plus the promenade at Whitley Bay. General views of various types of residential properties changes to Councillor David Potts, Tory Councillor for Cleadon & East Boldon on Tyneside speaking with Ian outside South Shields Town Hall. He believes these proposed council tax re-evaluations are entirely inappropriate, he wants to know the point of them. Comparative property prices need to be looked at rather than residential, as these have not risen unlike property prices. In his garden Councillor Tom Maws, Liberal Democrat councillor for Marton/Cleve on Teesside says that people are disturbed by what has been proposed, it’s an invasion of privacy. As Councillor Maws talks views around a modern renovated home. He hopes people won’t be in a position where only a certain amount of work can be done for fear of being penalised by the government. Back with Councillor Potts who says it is ludicrous that people should pay additional taxation or be put into a high council tax band on improvements they’ve made in the past. As he talks building work being carried out on a home followed by a series of porches and conservatories. At Marton near Middlesbrough a park and several large executive home. Councillor Maws compares this new tax to an old tax on having a window, if only the government could come clean with what they want then people maybe more accepting. In the gardens outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Tyne Tees political correspondent Gerry Foley speaks with Phil Woolas, Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion Gerry begins by asks if people will be seeing thousands of inspectors going around looking at individual properties and deciding how much they are now worth? Phil reminds Gerry that the powers of inspection have been around since the council tax was first introduced by Michael Heseltine in 1991-92. In responding to the question, he says there won’t be inspectors coming around to people homes. He is asked if making any improvements to the home will incur more council tax to which Phil replied there the value of a home is affected by many things, but at the end of the day it comes own to the price you can sell your property for. At a waste management centre, a lorry unloads its waste and rubbish as Gerry asks about reports that people may have to pay more for the rubbish collection. Phil says the government will look at options for fairer taxes from Michael Lyon’s report into local government finances. A graphic showing a green home from the game Monopoly and text relating to Council Tax Revaluation. A computer screen showing a satellite image of someone’s home and back garden. On proposals that the government may use sky-cameras Connie Corbett believes it is Big Brother gone mad while Councillor Tom Maws doesn’t like the idea that information gathered via a satellite is being made available and sold to and by commercial firms, this would be an invasion of his privacy. Councillor David Potts believes the use of spy-camera, or the equivalent is absurd getting into an ‘Orwellian nightmare’. Ashley M. Wilson says that surveillance is closely monitored for the purpose of government action, it must be proportionate and for a legitimate purpose. A graphic of a selection of newspaper headlines about being spied on by the government. Ian asks Ashley is this scaremongering. He doesn’t believe so as the legislation has been laid and he has seen government papers proposing the idea of taxing a view and allowing inspectors into a homes. A modern block of flats along the seafront at Whitley Bay, images are added showing various home improvements. Still in her garden Connie Corbett says she didn’t choose this house for the views; it just happens to have some nice ones. She explains why she bought the house. A montage of final comments made by those who have participated in this programme reiterating some of the points raised. Ian Payne walks along the cliffs at North Shields, in the background the Herd Groyne Lighthouse talking about what has been learned in this programme. Credit: Presenter Ian Payne Camera Alan Robinson Sound Robbie Carruthers, Rob Tickell Production Manager Christine Stewart-Tilling Graphics Dave Richardson Music John McGregor Cook Editing Fiona Toal Sound Post-production The Edge Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth Producer/Director Elizabeth M Bage © ITV Tyne Tees 2006 End credit: Production for ITV