I MUST add my comments regarding any resident who finds paying council taxes hard.

Some years ago I had difficulty paying and had to make a choice of food and warmth for my family or the tax in the same week so I understand the situation.

However, Thurrock Council’s website says please contact them if you will have trouble paying and I did to be treated like second class scum who is depriving the council of its piggy bank.

They threatened action and I felt more ashamed than before I contacted them.

So guess the outcome?

We had to pay immediately and the family was forced into hunger and cold for the sake of one week. But on the other hand when your wheelie bin gets full and they don’t collect for three weeks I contact them for advice and assistance for them to give a weak sorry laugh and say ‘wait till next week’.’ Thurrock Council is a big bully with boxing gloves ready to wallop you wearing ear plugs so they cant listen to you.

Simon Peck,
Stanford-le-Hope.

KATHY Higgins’ reply to Peter Bristows letter re his council tax is the patronising answer I have long come to expect from council officials.

Many hard-working (council tax paying) people suffer unexpected financial problems from time to time and have to beg to pay their council tax a little time later are often treated in the manner Peter was.

Maybe Kathy Higgins has lived a charmed life and never had to juggle money, which many people have.

I have contacted the council on many occasions on their use of bully boy tactics used when payments are late.

These people seem to forget they are there to serve the public, the same public they are often rude and unhelpful towards.

Paulette March,
Christchurch Road, Tilbury.

I AM writing in response to Kathy Higgins’ letter about tax bullies.

After 31 years of living on the earnings of the working class and having a regular and highly inflated wage, I suggest that she take a job in the private sector where wages are not always forthcoming or regular.

It is people like her that forget that civil servant means she is a servant to the civilian populace, and not the other way round.

Her attitude is typical of all council workers.

I hope to see the day they get a wake up call like the city bankers have just had.

J.A.
Purfleet.