The battle to reform the Council Tax system steps up a gear this weekend with dozens of Brentwood protesters joining campaigners from across the country to take part in a demonstration in central London.

Angry Brentwood residents are getting ready to travel down to the capital on Saturday (January 17) to take part in a rally organised by the IsItFair campaign.

The national, non-party group is calling for the Council Tax to be scrapped in favour of a tax based on the ability to pay.

Following the rally representatives from IsItFair will present a 35,000 signature petition at 10, Downing Street.

Local petition organiser Louise Purches, said feelings were still running high within the borough with a fresh petition calling for reform put together by an Ingatestone resident over the last week.

Mrs Purches said: "We are booking a 35 seat bus with Brentwood Coaches and will be meeting up with other demonstrators in the Mall. This issue is not just something that affects pensioners it affects all of us and the system needs to be changed."

She said it was extremely unfair that a working couple with a high disposable income pays the same amount of Council Tax as two pensioners in an identical property with a far lower disposable income.

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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