At the Town Hall last night (18th January) Newbury Town Councillors set the precept for the ratepayers of Newbury for the coming financial year.
Leader of the Council Ifor Sheldon said “This year’s budget decision has, once again, been especially hard, particularly as the economic downturn is still affecting all of Newbury’s residents. However, I believe that the Council has set a prudent and forward-looking budget which will maintain our high-quality services at a sustainable and value-for-money cost to local residents. I am especially pleased that the budget this year was passed unanimously by all Councillors.”
“We have been able to maintain the same level of funding as in past years in most areas and this year we have increased our contribution to the Citizens Advice Bureau. However, some tough decisions were made including increasing the annual allotment rental charges to help reduce the subsidy from other Newbury precept payers and to reduce the grant aid. I am please to report, therefore, that the precept has been set at only 6.1 pence per week increase for Band D tax payers.”
Deputy Leader Julian Swift-Hook added “I’m really pleased that for the first time in a decade, the Town Council’s budget is supported by all Members of the Council from both sides of the chamber.”
Notes: The actual increase in precept (the amount collected by West Berkshire Council for use by Newbury Town Council) is £3.17p per annum (to £71.97p) for the average Band D household (a rise of just 6.1p per week).
“We have been able to maintain the same level of funding as in past years in most areas and this year we have increased our contribution to the Citizens Advice Bureau. However, some tough decisions were made including increasing the annual allotment rental charges to help reduce the subsidy from other Newbury precept payers and to reduce the grant aid.
Spin indeed. If you have an allotment you shouldn't expect the rest of us to subsidise you, but if you use the Citizens Advice, you should. Classic muddled thinking from the Lib Dems!
Spin indeed. If you have an allotment you shouldn't expect the rest of us to subsidise you, but if you use the Citizens Advice, you should. Classic muddled thinking from the Lib Dems!
Sounds more like you're spinning yourself giddy! Newbury householders subsidise allotment holders by a great deal of money every year, and yet Wash Common allotment holders still complain. The local CAB is unfortunately, and not surprisingly, getting very busy. NTC have agreed to increase the grant to them. This helps towards the running costs.
Sounds more like you're spinning yourself giddy! Newbury householders subsidise allotment holders by a great deal of money every year, and yet Wash Common allotment holders still complain. The local CAB is unfortunately, and not surprisingly, getting very busy. NTC have agreed to increase the grant to them. This helps towards the running costs.
Nothing muddled at all really.
Haven't the foggiest what your point is. Are you saying the CAB deserve a subsidy because they're busy? There's a 100 households waiting list for allotments, so if both are popular services, why only subsidise one?
PS Wash Common's growers have repeatedly offered to take control of the allotments and run it without subsidies. NTC isn't interested.
Here's a thought.. dunno exactly how many allotments we have, buy why not put them out to tender? If we have say, 500 allotments, then the 500 highest bidders get one each for three years. That way they'd get near to their true value...and the relevant Parish would get an increased income.
Here's a thought.. dunno exactly how many allotments we have, buy why not put them out to tender? If we have say, 500 allotments, then the 500 highest bidders get one each for three years. That way they'd get near to their true value...and the relevant Parish would get an increased income.
Threep.
I might bid for one to park my car in.
Seriously though, it sounds like a moneyspinner, not sure how ethical it would be however.
Sounds more like you're spinning yourself giddy! Newbury householders subsidise allotment holders by a great deal of money every year, and yet Wash Common allotment holders still complain. The local CAB is unfortunately, and not surprisingly, getting very busy. NTC have agreed to increase the grant to them. This helps towards the running costs.
Nothing muddled at all really.
Where are you Ruskin? The Town Council have given an extra £3000 of my taxes to the Citizens Advice. But the Liberals are also increasing their spending by £50,000. Remember, these are the 'we know best' eedjits who blew £35k on the Tour of Britain scam only last year. They've got plenty in reserve, and plenty more on the way from WBC's legendary 'developer contributions' chest.
So frankly....yes. I expect a rebate. Or we may have to get Newbury de-parished.
Where are you Ruskin? The Town Council have given an extra £3000 of my taxes to the Citizens Advice. But the Liberals are also increasing their spending by £50,000. Remember, these are the 'we know best' eedjits who blew £35k on the Tour of Britain scam only last year. They've got plenty in reserve, and plenty more on the way from WBC's legendary 'developer contributions' chest.
So frankly....yes. I expect a rebate. Or we may have to get Newbury de-parished.
What's the Tour of Britain scam?
Please tell me you haven't got something else wrong.
Please tell me you haven't got something else wrong.
The scam is where a private business goes around flattering small towns with their ahem...'big race'. Aldershot were asked first, and turned it down, so the organisers got the map out and rang Newbury Town Hall. Therefore, it's a scam because anyone can pay them to change the route.
The Lib Dems told us just afterwards that it cost £27500 of our taxes to put this on, and that 5000 people attended in Newbury. So if it was such a great success, are we doing it again? Did it increase trade? Is it the town council now in charge of economic development? The carnival in 2009 attracted 4000 people with a £500 donation from NTC?
This is still relevant today. Our Lib Dem friends at the town hall clearly love to use MY money for vanity projects no one asked for. A video about what the town council does? A guide to town hall services in Polish? A town flag?
These goons have to go. It's time to devolve NTC's services to community groups and use the town hall to house all the pavilion stuff.
The scam is where a private business goes around flattering small towns with their ahem...'big race'. Aldershot were asked first, and turned it down, so the organisers got the map out and rang Newbury Town Hall. Therefore, it's a scam because anyone can pay them to change the route.
The Lib Dems told us just afterwards that it cost £27500 of our taxes to put this on, and that 5000 people attended in Newbury. So if it was such a great success, are we doing it again? Did it increase trade? Is it the town council now in charge of economic development? The carnival in 2009 attracted 4000 people with a £500 donation from NTC?
This is still relevant today. Our Lib Dem friends at the town hall clearly love to use MY money for vanity projects no one asked for. A video about what the town council does? A guide to town hall services in Polish? A town flag?
These goons have to go. It's time to devolve NTC's services to community groups and use the town hall to house all the pavilion stuff.
Couple of things here, do you think NTC shouldn't be organising any events to promote the town? And only Aldershot were offered a place on the route of the Tour?
This is still relevant today. Our Lib Dem friends at the town hall clearly love to use MY money for vanity projects no one asked for. A video about what the town council does? A guide to town hall services in Polish? A town flag?
These goons have to go. It's time to devolve NTC's services to community groups and use the town hall to house all the pavilion stuff.
Meddler by name, meddler by nature . . . 1) looks like the video explains to you and me what the council does, albeit in a pretty dated style admittedly , 2) guide to town hall services in Polish - translated for free apparently, and 3) the town flag - the idea's dropped for the present, according to the latest budget figures.
Meddler by name, meddler by nature . . . 1) looks like the video explains to you and me what the council does, albeit in a pretty dated style admittedly , 2) guide to town hall services in Polish - translated for free apparently, and 3) the town flag - the idea's dropped for the present, according to the latest budget figures.
So in 1) what value does the video add rather than try and justify another tier of government. And spend £1500 trying to make it case for its own existence.
in 2) What value is there to the community - someone may translate it but there are still printing costs!
If no one meddled just think how much of your money they would want to spend!
So in 1) what value does the video add rather than try and justify another tier of government. And spend £1500 trying to make it case for its own existence.
in 2) What value is there to the community - someone may translate it but there are still printing costs!
If no one meddled just think how much of your money they would want to spend!
1) The value of the video, for me at least, is that it shows what Newbury, and the Council, have to offer. Yes, it's another tier of government, but its 23 Councillors are local, democratically elected, fully aware of what's happening in the area, and their time and experience doesn't cost you and me a penny. Actually, sorry, that's not true, they are allowed to claim a £65 a year allowance. Good value? Yes I think so. 2) The printing costs are applicable when someone asks for a Polish leaflet. I'm told there are no preprinted copies. If you ask for a Polish, or French, or German version, a copy is printed for you. Please don't tell me you object to the 10p-15p that would cost!
You've missed out Meddler's Point 3) The town flag was an idea, but has not been progressed. My point was he/she was incorrect in the belief it was costing you and me anything.
1) The value of the video, for me at least, is that it shows what Newbury, and the Council, have to offer. Yes, it's another tier of government, but its 23 Councillors are local, democratically elected, fully aware of what's happening in the area, and their time and experience doesn't cost you and me a penny. Actually, sorry, that's not true, they are allowed to claim a £65 a year allowance. Good value? Yes I think so. 2) The printing costs are applicable when someone asks for a Polish leaflet. I'm told there are no preprinted copies. If you ask for a Polish, or French, or German version, a copy is printed for you. Please don't tell me you object to the 10p-15p that would cost!
You've missed out Meddler's Point 3) The town flag was an idea, but has not been progressed. My point was he/she was incorrect in the belief it was costing you and me anything.
No it costs a band D property owner £71.97 per annum. True it would still cost some of that if we lost this additional teir of goverenment - but not as much!!
Yes, it's another tier of government, but its 23 Councillors are local, democratically elected, fully aware of what's happening in the area, and their time and experience doesn't cost you and me a penny.
Local? Nearly all of you have migrated here. Democratically elected? By 30% of the electorate! Fully aware of what's happening? Like the pavilion you mean. Time and experience? Ah yes, 5 years to put together a bungled lottery bid for Vicky Park. Getting over-ruled by WBC planners all the time? Writing rude letters to people grieving their child's death, or my personal favourite...the Symphony of the Trees - Newbury's most short-lived art exhibition.
It only takes 500 signatures for a referendum on de-parishing Newbury.
Local? Nearly all of you have migrated here. Democratically elected? By 30% of the electorate! Fully aware of what's happening? Like the pavilion you mean. Time and experience? Ah yes, 5 years to put together a bungled lottery bid for Vicky Park. Getting over-ruled by WBC planners all the time? Writing rude letters to people grieving their child's death, or my personal favourite...the Symphony of the Trees - Newbury's most short-lived art exhibition.
It only takes 500 signatures for a referendum on de-parishing Newbury.
You can have my signature Meddler.
Oh hang about - according to User I am you - or is it you are me???
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