The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Might I ask what percentage increase this is on the current year? I don’t have my figures to hand, but looking at the local authority website suggests it is an increase of just over 86%. Surely this cannot be right, particularly given the establishment grants given to Neston Council. (This year £20, next year £37.33.)

If the money is well spent, fine. I'd rather give over a few quid to the town council than the government. Would be nice to hear from them if theres an explanation to the question posed though.

Paul
If you contact the Council I'm sure they'll give you the papers, or tell you where you can see them. It's a statutory body so they must be open about things. I think their number is 05603 446040

In the absence of a response from elsewhere, I have checked and indeed, the precept for last year was £20 (per band D), and so the figure for 2010-2011 of £37.33 is an increase 86.65%. The amount in total last year was £118,860, and so if we apply the percentage, the total this year will be £221,852. There is a ‘Forum’ of sorts at the full Council meetings, the next of which is on 19th January. This would be an opportunity to speak to the councillors. I quote from another page on Carries website:

In order that any background research can be undertaken, it would be helpful if questions could be submitted no later than three days before the meeting, to:

Alison Kunaj, Town Clerk.
Neston Town Council
Neston Community & Youth Centre,
Burton Road,
Neston,
CH64 9RE.

Tel: 05603 446040
Email: council@nestontowncouncil.org.uk

The £118'000 for last years budget (not a full 12mths budget) was set by Cheshire West and Chester and was just a figure plucked out of the air to get Neston Town Council started and was not based on any figures of how much it would actually cost to run a council of our size.This years budget was the first that the Town Council have set for themselves and each committee spent a considerable amount of time working out how much would be needed to enable the Council to do a proper job that would make a difference to our community.A full breakdown of the budget can be obtained by emailing Alison Kunaj at council@nestontowncouncil.org.uk

(This is a personal comment and is not made on behalf of the town council or in any way represents the councils views)

Scott/Paul/Mick/John/Andy -

It's encouraging that some residents (yourselves) are passionate and interested enough to ask questions and seek clarification - unlike the deafening silence from 'apathetic quarter' of the community (yes, I realize it is one's right to be apathetic) - who need someone to walk up and bash them over the head with an issue to realize it's there.

I genuinely believe in, and respect, the council's budget - but debating it here, without responses from the likes of Andy W, could easily exacerbate any discrepancies or misunderstandings.

If anyone has any concerns over the budget, then like John (above) I would recommend they attend next Tuesday's Town Council meeting at NC&YC and ask for clarification of the figures, during the time set aside for public questions. This will afford the best opportunity to gain first-hand clarification, and all responses are required to be minuted as a matter of public record.

Given the precept accepted last year was for the period from beginning of June or some time in May, (80% or more of the year) and based upon the average precept for similar councils across England, the level of the increase I feel does at least merit examination. There is no doubt in my mind that the funds will be spent in Neston, but I have concerns as to the total, and how it will be spent. For example, Neston has an unusually large proportion of elderly persons as residents, and of these, the majority are single, yet the casual observer would be forgiven for thinking that all funds and initiatives are aimed at younger groups, youths or businesses. D M has made excellent points about interest in the locale, although sadly I cannot attend the council meeting, but have written (yesterday via e-mail) to the council to raise a few questions or seek a few clarifications. I don’t think there is anything controversial here so herewith the content of the e-mail:

“Dear Mrs. Kunaj,

First of all a belated congratulations on your appointment, and I hope things are working out for you in the new role.

I write to ask the Council a few questions about the Town Council precept following the press release dated 8th January:

First of all, the new precept was announced as “just under 72 pence a week”. Whilst this might he a factual statement, I feel it could easily be misinterpreted as misleading, and more akin to some ‘sales drive’ than a local authority. Given the total and the increase were omitted. I would ask if the council would release a revised statement that succinctly summarised the following information, to wit; The Town Council has set a precept of £221,852, which is an increase of 86.65% over last year. For a band ‘D’ property, this will mean be an annual charge of £37.33 added to Council Tax Bills, as opposed to last year’s charge of £20.00.”

Secondly, I note you are quoted as saying that of the funds being raised via the precept for local organisations "It is hoped that a number of bids will be made by organisations during the year and that the money provided by the Town Council will be used for match funding". I would ask if ‘hoped’ is the current criteria, that this be changed to ‘insist’ on fund matching, particularly for any larger gifts of say, more than £500?

Thirdly, the press release refers to a total of £58,000 for the above grants and for trees and planting, yet gives no indications as to how the other £163,852 will be spent. I would ask when will the fully detailed budget be released.

Finally, in the current financial year, Neston Town Council received a precept of £118,860 in June. How much of this will be left ‘in the coffers’, so to speak, on 5th April?

I hope these are not too burdensome for the Councillors, and assure you, it is just the absence of clear and open information which raises these questions in my mind.

I very much look forward to hearing from the Council, and I thank your for your time.

Yours sincerely,