Delay for Parish Precept

The setting of the Town Council's precept for 2013-14 has had to be delayed because of changes to the benefits system.  Members of the Finance and Resources Committee heard that the government's plans to localise council tax support mean that the County Council has to devise a council tax reduction scheme and the tax base could be reduced.  The proposals mean that, as far as parish and town councils are concerned, local taxpayers will pay more for any given level of precept.

Although some help will be received from central government, there are no guarantees this will be passed on to parish and town councils.  An additional concern is that government is expected to decide this month whether or not parish and town councils will be subject to a referendum if excessive rises in precept are planned.

Northumberland County Council will not receive news of its financial settlements until later this month, so will not be able to advise local councils until late December or early January.  It has therefore written to all parish and town councils suggesting they delay agreeing their precepts until the New Year.

Members of the Finance and Resources Committee decided that the budget they looked at should be agreed in principle, but that they should be prepared to re-visit it with a view to revisions, once more information was received from the County Council.