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A councillor has defended Cheshire East’s decision not to reduce its tax demand on Nantwich residents – despite a 300% rise in the town council precept.
Cheshire East Council is handing over facilities such as Nantwich Civic Centre, indoor market, public toilets, and allotments to Nantwich Town Council.
Town councillors agreed a 300% rise for its portion of council tax to help pay for maintaining and upgrading these.
But any hope Nantwich residents had of seeing a reduction in the Cheshire East Council portion, was ended when the authority proposed to freeze rates across the borough.
Cllr Michael Jones (pictured), portfolio holder for resources, defended that decision. In an interview with Nantwichnews, he said the increase will pay for “more” than just the facilities they are handing over.
And he said the future of buildings like Nantwich Civic Centre would have been “in serious doubt” if it remained in the hands of Cheshire East Council.
He said: “We have been subsidising things like town halls and markets and we can no longer afford them.
“There would be a serious question mark over the civic centre’s future without this decision.
“It is a substantial increase in the town council precept, but it will pay for much more than just the facilities we are handing over.
“It will pay for flower beds, hanging baskets, Nantwich in Bloom, Christmas lights, street furniture, tourism, allotments and more.
“The town council has approved this rise with caution in mind, over possible energy inflation, refurbishment costs and so on. It is a brave decision but will lead to Nantwich having better facilities and presentation.
“I shop in Nantwich all the time, it’s a wonderful town, but can be improved. Cheshire East could not pay for this through our council tax revenue, we don’t have the money in these austere times.”
Cllr Jones admitted the civic centre in particular was a drain on Cheshire East, making a “residual” loss each year.
“We want the civic centre to be the best it can be. But I can’t justify taking money from statutory adult and children’s services and spending it on flower beds,” he added.
Cllr Jones also hinted that the town council demand is more likely to come down in future.
“We may see a reduction, I certainly don’t see a need for much more,” he added.
“But we have no say on that, of course. That will be for the town council to decide.”
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Lets hope that that Nantwich Council are handed the freeholds of buildings and lands that they are expected to pay for upkeep of. Unless they already own them. Ownership must come as part of any deal
As justification for not reducing the council trax, The councillor’s comments are pure garbage! It was always very clear to my way of thinking that this would happen and that, in effect, the £67 additional precept by NTC now becomes £134 in reality, and is likely to rise year on year. It looks as if Nantwich Town Councillors have been gullible, to say the least, if they ever really thought that CEC would reduce their greedy demands. Apparently, only 5 Nantwich residents took any interest in this issue whne it was being debated. Perhaps they’ll take a bit more interest in future when these tax grabs are proposed. I thought we were in a serious recession. Clearly, if so, it has passed by CEC and NTC councillors without their noticing. Or perhaps they don’t understand what recession means since, doubtless, their (CEC) generous expenses and allowances will probably go up year on year.