Council tax discount for special constables 'a slap in the face' for other volunteers

At the East Riding of Yorkshire Council meeting on Wednesday January 8, Conservative Councillors gave a 25% Council Tax discount to special constables.

Independent Group Leader, Cllr Barbara Jefferson, proposed that moves to single out special constables for the discount was unfair on other volunteers and the matter should be

reviewed by a Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr Jefferson said: “How can we expect to face our brave volunteers, both on sea and land, when we are apparently selecting one group of volunteers as being more deserving than

another without proper consultation and full debate?”

The amendment to consider other volunteers was seconded by Independent Councillor John Whittle but thrown out by the ruling Conservative Group.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr David Nolan, said: “We have RNLI lifeboat volunteers putting their lives at risk and yet they are not being considered for a Council Tax discount. The whole scheme has not been thought through and is unfair.”

The move to give special constables a 25% discount (50% discount if two or more special constables in the household) has been pushed through as a one year trial.