THERE has been a clash in the council chamber over how much Dunstablians should pay for town council services in 2012/13.
Central Beds Council aims to cut its share of the council tax by £17.51 for average band D householders in the former South Beds local authority area.
Now that drop will be cancelled out by a rise in the ‘precept’ for Dunstable Town Council – its own slice of the council tax bill.
It means a £17.51 rise in the bill for town council services for average band D households, up from £139.65 to £157.16.
The town council is taking on extra services including running the market and the Ashton Square toilets.
But at the latest full town council meeting, Councillor Peter Hollick called in vain for the precept rise to be limited to no more than £10 per council tax payer.
Mr Hollick said the council had to distinguish between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’.
“Dunstable Town Council does have opportunities and we do want to embrace them,” he said.
But he said they had to determine whether as a council they were “grasping an opportunity” or “being opportunistic”.
Central Beds Council aims to cut its share of the council tax for the former South Beds local authority area to bring those householders’ payments in line with the ex-Mid Beds district.
Despite the town precept rise, there would still be no increase overall in the combined council tax charges from Central Beds Council and the town council.
Police and fire service charges will also form part of the jigsaw that makes up the final bill.
Mr Hollick said householders were aware of the planned reduction by Central Beds Council and were “expectant”.
Councillor Terry Stock pointed out: “The reduction is regarded as small by some, but for many people, every pound counts.”
Councillor Patricia Russell said many people were out of work or had suffered cuts in wages.
She urged councillors to “concentrate on the things we have to pay for and not add to the list in this time of financial trouble”.
Councillor Neal Reynolds said: “I am quite appalled by this increase.” He added: “Let’s be fair to the people who are losing their jobs, having their hours cut and seeing their income drop.”
But Councillor Terry Colbourne pointed out the council was taking on extra services.
He said the Central Beds reduction provided a “one-off” opportunity for the town council.
“What it does mean is we are going to have the funding for additional services,” he said.
Mr Colbourne added: “We have got to start being proactive and not reactive. Being proactive means we have to get things in place for what’s going to happen now, and the year after, and the year after that.”
The town council precept will bring in £2,030,822.
Finance and general purposes committee chairman Councillor Pat Staples, leader of the council’s ruling group, spoke of the council’s successes in 2011/12.
They included the retention of Green Flag status for Grove House Gardens, securing Green Flag status for Priory Gardens, gaining a gold medal in Anglia in Bloom, delivering “the most successful events programme we have ever had”, refurbishment work at Priory House, and managing the Creasey Park Community Football Centre.
Town council services would cost Dunstable council tax payers just over £3 a week.
“I believe that we can demonstrate tremendous value for money,” she said.
Mrs Staples added: “We always have to think of the future and ensure that we can work proactively with our public sector partners. As Central Bedfordshire Council’s finances come under increasing pressure, so will expectations of this council. And I believe we have to position ourselves to respond to such pressures.”
Talking about people who were disadvantaged, she highlighted the many after-school activities and the free entertainment that the council provided.
“I think this is a good budget,” she said. “It is going to give Dunstable so many opportunities.”
Councillor Julian Murray unsuccessfully proposed that cemetery and allotment charges should remain at the current level.