Frank Little

Councillor for East Central ward on Coedffranc Town Council Learn more

Council tax confirmed

by franklittle on 1 March, 2014

At a special meeting of Neath Port Talbot Council yesterday, the council tax for Blaenhonddan for the coming financial year was confirmed as £1551.48, a rise of 4.41%. This includes the borough-wide police precept of £190.34 and the community council’s precept. Full details are at http://www.npt.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3530&name=Council&mtg_date=28/02/2014&id=COUN&qt=LST and select COUN-280214-REP-CDG for the council tax calculations.

The budget itself having been determined in January, both the council tax proposals and the report on staff pay were passed without dissent. However, Linet Purcell (Plaid Cymru councillor for Pontardawe) raised the subject of the discrepancy between “unparished” areas of the county borough and those with community councils. Were people in community council areas paying twice, for halls and other facilities in their area, and for those elsewhere supported by the county borough? Did this not have an impact on the recommendations of the Williams Commission? The director of finance explained the historical reason for the difference – the Neath and Rhiw components of the county borough had parish councils at the time of the last local government reorganisation, while Port Talbot did not – but suggested that it was a subject for more detailed consideration on another day, if that was what the council wanted to do. Labour councillors John Warman and Peter Rees pointed out that communities had the ability to disband by referendum if they wished to do so, and both councillors felt there was no popular demand to do so.

 

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