June Farrow?s tiny, doll-like frame belies her huge reserves of grit and determination, widow at the age of 72.
This week she stood, impeccably attired and implacable, in the dock at Norwich Magistrates? Court and told the bench, with her customary courtesy, why she would not under any circumstances be paying her council tax arrears.
With the fluency of a defence lawyer, she outlined the reasons why she intends to continue challenging the inequity of the charge ? by paying only a quarter of the monthly bill levied by the council on her detached rural home.
She says: ?The bailiffs can come if they want. I?ve got nothing left for them to take. I?ve sold my wedding ring, my engagement ring, my granny?s ring and the antique clock she left me.
The thought of going to prison holds no fears for me. It would help to highlight my case.?
And I hope I?m helping thousands of other lone pensioners who, with the rising cost of living, just can?t afford to pay punitive rates of council tax.
?I explained that since my husband Albert died seven years ago, like all people living singly, I?ve only had a 25 per cent reduction on my council tax.
'This seems grossly unfair. When a partner dies you should be entitled to a 50 per cent reduction.
For seven years I?ve managed to pay my monthly council tax bill of ?99 by dipping into my savings.
'But I want to continue to live in my own home ? it would break my heart to leave it.
'For that reason, for the past three months I?ve only paid ?25 of my bill each month, and that?s what I shall continue to pay.
And because she has been judicious, thrifty and hard-working, she has savings of just over ?16,000.
Her little nest egg takes her just above the threshold that would entitle her to State benefits and help with her council tax bill.
June, therefore, is one of society?s forgotten poor.
She would be better off if she spent her savings ? the State would step in and help her if she did so ? but she is self-sufficient and proud.
And June?s predicament is not rare. A recent report from the Office for National Statistics found that 53 per cent of single pensioners receive an income of less than ?10,000 a year.
They, too, have just ?27 a day to live on, a sum which does not cover the cost of their ever-escalating bills.
She is sticking at its guns????..
She thinks she can defy the law and the rest of us pay for her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder if one of the dk rich person is willing to pay the full amount so that she doesn't end up in Holloway?????????.
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