Precept and Council Tax bills
Every January the Town Council submit a request to Cotswold District Council (CDC) for a portion of the money that is collected through the Council tax bills. This figure is called the Precept and is the Town Councils main source of income. This year the Town Council has requested an increase of 15% which is a huge rise but in real terms this equates to a £10 increase over the year (less than 20p a week) for a D band house. (CDC uses a D band house as an average). Last year (2012 – 2013) the amount allocated on the Council Tax bill to Northleach with Eastington Town Council (NWETC) on a D band house was £68 and this year (2013 – 2014) that figure will be £78.
The 15% increase only relates to the Town Council portion and not the whole Council Tax bill. The remaining money is allocated to Gloucestershire County Council, the Police and Cotswold District Council. The Town Council are acutely aware of the current economic situation and how it affects them and other residents. However most costs are rising and other incomes such as those from the Westwoods, the Cemetery and Pavilion are not guaranteed. In addition various items are being handed down to local town and parish councils with little extra funding. This includes some grass cutting and salting and recently the Town Council were asked to contribute to a flood mitigation scheme in Northleach. Once in place this scheme should ease the flooding issues and help those householders struggling to get home insurance. The total cost of the project was £80K and NWETC was asked to contribute £3K. This contribution was a major reason for the increase. The Precept had not been raised significantly in recent years and the impact has been dwindling reserves. The Town Council are constantly reviewing costs, obtaining numerous quotes for work and trying to establish good value for money across their services.
Question of the Month
Where can I see details of the district’s core housing strategy? There is a display in the Westwoods foyer with a map and other documents including comment cards. This will remain in place for the near future.