Britannia Radio

Council defends 86% tax increase

A small Pembrokeshire community council has explained increasing its
council tax demands by 86% at a public meeting.

Manorbier Community Council has spent over £50,000 on unsuccessfully
defending a court case and settling an unfair dismissal claim.

Further litigation is ongoing. The cases date back before all but two of
the current councillors took office.

Council chairman Ray Hughes said they had inherited a "challenging
situation".

The council precept, the money it raises through its share of council
tax, is £31,680 for 2009-10.

That is £14,680 more than last year and equates to £51.17 for each band
D property.

It means residents in Manorbier pay the second highest precept in
Pembrokeshire, just behind Tenby, but more than main towns such as
Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock.

“ I think the general public of this community are sick to death of
court cases ”
Ray Hughes, council chairman

The council's main outgoings in the community are paying towards the
village hall and its football pitches.

Mr Hughes said the new council, formed in May 2008, inherited an ongoing
unfair dismissal case by a former part-time clerk that, on the advice of
lawyers, it had decided to settle out of court for a total cost of
£27,000.

Had they not, Mr Hughes said the eventual bill could have been £40,000
to 50,000.

Previously an unsuccessful attempt to challenge a £4,600 unpaid bill had
cost the council over £20,000.

Two former councillors are also involved in ongoing litigation and if
the case continues to the High Court, the community council would be
liable for 10% of the final settlement and 10% of the costs incurred by
one of the parties.

MANORBIER BUDGET, 2009/10
# Clerk's wages/expenses £4,700
# Admin/FOI £1,500
# Training £500
# Community Association grant £2,500
# One Voice Wales £140
# Audit fees £1,500
# Costs due to electors' queries £1,000
# Insurance £800
# Village hall rent £50
# Advertising £250
# Legal fees/tribunal £15,000
# Welsh language scheme £500
# Poppy Appeal £25
# Christmas tree £50
# Bier House £250
# Community centre £2,000
# Clerk's equipment £700
# School donation £15
# War memorial £200
# Total: £31,680
# Source: Manorbier CC

"Although large costs have been incurred and paid for by members of the
community, the current council have done all they can to reduce the
levels of the costs," he said.

"As a council, we are now wishing to concentrate on ensuring the
community is properly served."

Mr Hughes said £15,000 of this year's precept was earmarked for legal
fees.

He said he hoped the outstanding case would be settled quickly and a
line drawn under the past.

"I think the general public of this community are sick to death of court
cases," he added.

One man, among around 20 members of the public to attend the meeting,
called the actions of the previous administration "crass", "stupid" and
"irresponsible" .

"I'm a pensioner and I've got to pay," he said.

Some members of the previous council took issue with Mr Hughes.

Previous chairman Tony Wales said his statement contained a "number of
inaccuracies" .

"They are very keen to blame the old council," he said, but he added
they were not so keen to give them the opportunity to defend themselves.

He also questioned the current council's decision to settle the unfair
dismissal claim out of court.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news. bbc.co.uk/ go/pr/fr/ -/1/hi/wales/ south_west/ 8021074.stm

Published: 2009/04/28 05:42:49 GMT