COUNCIL Tax is still a cause for concern in Buntingford. At a Community Voice meeting on Monday evening, residents said they believed they were being taxed twice. Town councillor Eunice Woods said: Since 1975 we have paid one of the highest community tax

COUNCIL Tax is still a cause for concern in Buntingford.

At a Community Voice meeting on Monday evening, residents said they believed they were being taxed twice.

Town councillor Eunice Woods said: "Since 1975 we have paid one of the highest community taxes in East Herts.

"Since 1972, Buntingford Town Council has owned its own playing fields and playground equipment because it is not an urban area and as a result residents are being charged by the town council, and indirectly by the district council, through Council Tax."

Cllr Woods said: "The town council was not given the opportunity to hand over its playing fields - it was just expected to keep them.

"But the town council has to put up its precept to cover grass cutting, children's play equipment, and three areas we have to service."

East Herts District Council chief executive Anne Fisher said: "Every Council Tax payer pays according to their band.

"We're working hard to make sure our services are fairly spread and we want to work more closely with residents as a community."

District councillor Stan Bull, who represents Buntingford, said the issue had not been ignored.

"We haven't buried our heads in the sand," he said

- The meeting focused on the services the council provides to residents.

A survey carried out by the district council revealed that 61 per cent of people living in East Herts felt very or fairly informed.