WELL it has happened, the dreaded council tax bill landed on our doormats, some of us got the bill quicker than others dependent on where you live in Bridgwater and how regular your postie is, writes Cllr Gill Slocombe, leader of the Conservatives on Bridgwater Town Council.
However, it didn’t make the pain any less I know.
I thought it might be good to explain a few things about our new charges.
Since Unitary, our Council Tax is capped at 5% the Government refusing to higher the rate, thank God.
The second on your bill is the Town Councils’ for the average D Band of 163% which is and extra £180.00 rise from what I paid previously, and the same will be for all residents lower or high depending on what band you are in.
The good news is there will be no bill from Sedgemoor, although this was always considerably less.
The rise is because many of the services and Assets have been devolved and passed to the very Ambitious Bridgwater Town Council.
An over doubling of staff to accommodate the changes and increased workloads. Services, like grass cutting, plant bedding, management of open space, play areas, trees on council owned land, roadside verges, road sweeping, minor highway functions such as footpath repairs, cemeteries, new vehicles etc.
The actual assets transferred from Sedgemoor District Council for Mansfield Park, the Fairfield, Blake gardens, and other local parks.
The Conservative group didn’t agree with the large hike in council tax, but the town council's message is if we don’t do this then the services would be lost, I don’t think they would have been lost, because many were statutory but there is no doubt the frequency will be greatly depleted.
No one wanted the Unitary Council, but we have it and it is led by the Liberals.
Many years ago I wasn’t keen on having a town council but we have it, led by the Labour Group.
So if we start putting the rosettes away and the banners back in the cupboards locally, it remains our duty to ensure you voices are heard, regardless of the politics so the services are provided that you and I are paying for.
Many people have asked me the make-up and whether they have a voice and yes you do, if you are not satisfied, ensure you shout at us the local councillors, not the officers, they didn’t decide this, they are just doing their daily jobs keeping all the services running
The make up:
- The Somerset Council are 61 Liberals, 35 Conservatives and 5 Labour and 5 Green Party and 3 Independents and 1 vacancy.
- The Bridgwater Town Council – 12 Labour and 4 Conservatives, no other parties.
It is the belief from the town council that the services will run better and more efficient, we will see, and if you decide that you are not happy, come to the regular town council meetings and have your say.
You don’t have to be an armchair warrior, make us accountable.
If you don’t come then everyone will assume you are happy, for who knows this may be the case for some I fear by the amount of calls and emails, there are a lot of different opinions out there.
We will continue to represent your views no matter what, you never know we just might be successful.
