So are JPC’s Costs Too High?

Source: Stratford District Council

Henley JPC has spent £280,000 more than Tanworth in Arden Parish Council since 2000, according to figures released by Stratford District Council, write our HI correspondent.

Prior to 2000, Tanworth in Arden Parish Council had higher parish council taxes (precepts) than Henley JPC.

Since 2000, Henley's precepts (parish council tax) have escalated and have exceeded the precepts charged by Tanworth by a total of £280,000 over this period.

Both councils serve similar sized populations of around 3,000.

The chart shows a comparison of precepts with the neighbouring parish of Tanworth in Arden. The reduction in the Henley precept in 2011/12 was due to money being drawn from reserves, so that the ‘controlling group’ could claim in the JPC Newsletter prior to the 2012 parish election that there had been cost savings, which was not the case.

Remember, over 50% of Henley and Beaudesert’s precept (the money you pay each year) is spent on administration costs. Some of this money could be put to much better use around Henley.

Report by HI Correspondent (Not the editor)

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Minister concerned about High Level of Parish Council Increases

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has told parish councils to rethink average 3% hikes to their council tax precept - which he said are outstripping levies raised by the rest of local government.

Speaking at the NALC Larger Councils' conference, Mr Pickles urged local councillors to make sure they are not overburdening residents with increased taxes.

'It hasn't escaped my noticed that, at a time when most districts are freezing their council tax, the average parish precept has gone up by 3%. And the trend is seeing parish increases outstripping the rest of local government,' said Mr Pickles.

He added the DCLG was prepared to review principles governing council tax referendums, but demanded parish councillors 'square' any rises with their electorate. 'Can you really look your local folk in the eye?' Pickles asked delegates.

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“Townhalls hiking Council Tax are placing an intolerable burden on already struggling families. These tax rises hit the poorest households the hardest and after a decade in which Council Tax nearly doubled the last thing taxpayers need are further hikes.
The councils exploiting loopholes or planning increases just under the threshold to dodge referendums are showing utter contempt for local taxpayers.
The majority of councils are freezing Council Tax, some are even cutting it. The rest should follow suit rather than picking peoples pocket’s once again.”

Matthew Sinclair, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance