Friday, February 23, 2007

Council tax

You lucky residents of Swanage will be paying from the beginning of April more council tax than any other householders in Purbeck.
Those with memories not that long can remember former mayor Tony Miller boasting that the investment the town council was making in the caravan park would be reaping rich rewards.
He was predicting a zero town council tax, and even, that the residents might expect a bit back.
Well that was then. This is now.
And the amount the town council is asking from you is going up rather more than 22 %.
Not the 5 % that the other council tax setting authorities - the Police, the Fire Brigade, Dorset County Council and the Purbeck Council have all been forced to keep within.
The Government says 5 %. Swanage says 22 %. As a parish council it doesn't have to stick to 5 % and the books have to be balanced.
This year the average council tax for Swanage town council has been £67.60. From April you will be paying £82.55 on average. In terms of the whole council tax it isn't much. The County council takes over £1,000. Purbeck has increased its share from £138.60 to £145.39. The police cost us on average £156.51. Considering the concerns about the police coverage of Swanage that might be considered steep. The Fire service takes £53.19. Total, for those, just over £1,400.
Then there's £82.55 for Swanage.

Have you heard any debate about it. Have I missed the discussion?

Posted by Anonymous to swanage view at 11:28 PM
Posted by at

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

WE, where are you from, lucky people of Swanage have always had the highest rate of Poll - sorry - Council Tax in Purbeck.

I have a memory back to the 60's and as time has progressed I believe politicians less and less - that could of course just be me becoming more cynical.

Quote

"As a parish council it doesn't have to stick to 5 % and the books have to be balanced".

Isn't that the question answered.

23/2/07 10:10 pm
Anonymous said...

The Conservative-majority council have consistently promised a lower and lower precept (part of the Council Tax) and have spent less than they might have done on the facilities in the town, while instead investing unwisely in a questionable scheme at the caravan park. Now they are finding that there is insufficient money to keep their commitments. As an emergency measure, a high precept has been set to cover operating costs, and the capital budget has been frozen.

The promotion of the zero percent increase in the town precept and the running down of services has been a disaster. Given the dire situation,the suggested 22% rise to cover costs is simply good housekeeping. The town has to keep running. You cannot spend money you haven't got.

John Wootton

25/2/07 5:54 pm
The Postman said...

Well, well. At the council meeting last night the Tories voted overwhelmingly to suspend standing orders so they could change their mind. Councillor Bright said they had 'found' some missing money. And that matching this with a promise of a 'clear financial strategy' would mean they could reduce the precept to 4.9%. Councillors Hadley and Bartlett said they were concerned and surprised and unconvinced by the argument. Councillor Bartlett said that we would all love a low precept, but that you had to be prudent. Councillor Hadley agreed, however attractive it might be to set a low precept with an election around the corner. Councillor Hadley said that if you could discover a pot of money today, you might as easily lose it tomorrow, which is no basis for financial planning, and that a precept should be set that was cautious. He said he could not understand how the position could change from one of dire emergency and the need to suspend all capital works to everything suddenly being rosy. He also said you can't manage finances on 'a wing and a prayer' pointing out that the former mayor was promising nil increase, and that hasn't happened, so you can't bank on promises or wishful thinking. But they put it to the vote, the whip came out and one, two, three, four , five, six, seven, eight, nine conservatives voted to go for the reduced rate of 4.9% (five of whom had voted the other way last time). Let's hope the money turns up, otherwise we're all in trouble.

27/2/07 11:44 am
Anonymous said...

This is what comes of having a tory council that is never challenged at the ballot box it is said you could put a monkey in blue in swanage and people would still vote for it well it looks like the apes have done it .

4/3/07 9:42 pm

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)