ISITFAIR council tax protestors are urging people to challenge their council tax band and to join a growing e-petition, calling for a fairer system. The need for householders to challenge their banding was highlighted during ITV's current affairs programme Tonight – hosted by Trevor McDonald which last Friday night broadcast a report called Council Tax Cashback. According to founder of the Isitfair protest group, local resident Christine Melsom, the programme suggested that many of the original property valuations, which are still the basis for every household's council tax band, will prove to be incorrect. "This comes as no surprise and it will be another nail in the coffin for this unfair system of taxation," said Mrs Melsom, who added: "I hope that council tax payers who have been overcharged will also join the fight for a fairer system of local taxation." Isitfair believes the present system is "out of control". Mrs Melsom points out that when the tax was introduced in 1993 the average band D council tax in England was £568 – it is now £1268, representing a staggering rise of 123 per cent. If it had risen in line with inflation it would now be £794. The fear is that a further inflation-busting rise will come in April 2007 but at the same time services will be cut, with social care services hit hardest. Mrs Melsom warns: "The Local Government Association (LGA) has announced that it expects council tax to increase by 3.5 per cent on average from April 2007. "The LGA is trying to portray this as an achievement by local councils, but the Isitfair campaign does not share their enthusiasm. "In April 2007 councils will demand the latest in a long line of increases, but at the same time they are making drastic cuts to their services. This is a deliberate attempt to take the heat out of escalating protests against the tax. "The most dramatic change is in charges for social care, where many people, who until now have received free social care, will have to pay the full cost. We believe that social care should be fully funded by central government," said Mrs Melsom. She added: "In other areas of local government we have already seen reductions in service and increased charges, but we are still awaiting news of cuts in the level of tax!" Isitfair is now encouraging protesters to sign an on-line petition which has already attracted in excess of 1350 signatures. It urges the prime minister, Tony Blair, to replace the "unfair" Council Tax with a small increase in VAT and income tax. Your online protest can be registered at  http:/ /petitions.pm.gov.uk/FAIRCOUNCILTAX/