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Thorney Bay Park to face Revenue probe (From Echo)
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Thorney Bay Park to face Revenue probe
5:40pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
HM Revenue and Customs has launched an investigation at a Canvey caravan park, following complaints from islanders.
Residents have complained to Castle Point Council about Thorney Bay Park, off Thorney Bay Road, claiming hundreds of people are living there permanently without paying council tax.
Last week, the council announced, following a lengthy investigation, it did not feel the site had breached its licence by bringing in many extra caravans and allowing all-year-round occupation.
However, the King family, which runs the park, now faces a probe from the revenue’s Valuation Office Agency.
Revenue spokesman Phil Gillen said: “Issues in connection with the number of caravans on the site and other facilities have been brought to our attention. We are making enquires.”
He would not be more specific about was to be investigated.
However, it is understood the agency is to look into the issue of full-time residents’ council tax liability.
Owner Jeff King claims people only live on the site for a maximum of ten months a year, except in special circumstances, so are not liable.
However, an undercover Echo reporter was recently told by a park worker half the site’s caravans were permanently occupied, while the other half were holiday homes.
The council’s assistant chief executive, Craig Watts, told residents at a Canvey East Community Panel meeting last week it was not down to the council to check Thorney Bay residents’ council tax status.
He said it was down to the Valuations Office Agency.
Between 800 and 900 caravans are currently sited on the park, with many of these thought to have been brought on-site in the past two years.
Mr King said he had not been contacted by the agency so far, and would not comment on the investigation until he knew more about what it would involve.
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Your Say YourEcho
Valentino, Canvey Island says...
6:55pm Wed 8 Jul 09
basboy, basildon says...
7:33pm Wed 8 Jul 09
bumper, sorry its not my town or village says...
2:24am Thu 9 Jul 09
money talks like it as done here for years.
bumper, sorry its not my town or village says...
2:27am Thu 9 Jul 09
bad kings bad kings wat u going to do wat u going to do when they come for u .
not with out time pay back canvey .
bumper, sorry its not my town or village says...
2:31am Thu 9 Jul 09
but dont be silly kings are the law of canvey .
soul man, canvey says...
5:13am Thu 9 Jul 09
Truth will come out, everywhere says...
6:55am Thu 9 Jul 09
The Kings rule the council but it only takes one officer of the council to say its upto the VOA to investigate but Mr Watts who tells them to investigate it in the first place eh?
Cant have the Kings money and the public confidence in the same pocket mate
Canvey_Bird, Canvey Island says...
2:30pm Thu 9 Jul 09
lifelongislander, Canvey Island says...
3:34pm Thu 9 Jul 09
peterhamm, canvey says...
5:45pm Thu 9 Jul 09
purple rain, Canvey Island says...
8:38am Fri 10 Jul 09
lifelongislander, Canvey Island says...
11:00am Fri 10 Jul 09
bumper, sorry its not my town or village says...
4:48pm Fri 10 Jul 09
Canvey_Bird wrote:
i think your all pathetic busy bodies how bout you all mind ya own business and get a life.. who cares if they live there so what?? seriously you all really that bored and sad to moan about council tax for a caravan park GET OVER YOURSELFS lol
sounds like you live there whats up your number up or are you making money from the scam .
why should people with money get away with with scaming the tax man yes it does have a lot to do with people for the money mr king is getting comes out of our pockets . so shut the f-u-c-k- up till you got some think better to say prat .
purple rain, Canvey Island says...
11:12am Sat 11 Jul 09
Investigation – Thorney Bay Park
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marshman, says...
6:46pm Wed 8 Jul 09
Hogwash mate. That the best you can come up with?
We're all being ripped off 'cos the tories old cronies are pulling a fast one.