25% Increase and 300 Signatures

The non-so-popular decision by the Isles of Scilly Council to raise Council Tax by 25% has been met by locals with a petition.

The petition is for a public meeting, examination of Authority expenditure and government representatives to come to Scilly.

In Council publication ‘The Lighthouse?, they responded to the petition writing: “It may be put to you that 300 signatures is not a complete picture of public opinion.” – Arguing the difference between a vote or petition and a census: the vote or petition being optional, and you will only get people responding who are (at least reasonably) passionate about what they are signing; the latter being compulsory and iis/i the consensus of opinion.