FINEDON TOWN COUNCIL
Statement from the Chairman in relation to the Council Tax Increase
With the latest Council Tax Demands dropping through the letterbox, there is an understandable concern regarding the increase. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the reason for the increase in the Parish element.
As you will be aware following the financial problems that beset Northamptonshire County Council, the government have introduced the Unitary Councils. As a result of this all the Borough Councils will be abolished on the 1st April 2021, in Finedon’s case this will mean WBC will become Wellingborough Town Council. Historically WBC have owned and managed all of the public assets within Finedon even though the majority were originally owned by Finedon.
With the uncertainty of how the new remote governance will operate and view Finedon assets, Finedon Town Council decided to bring as many of those assets back under our ownership, while the opportunity was available to us under the community asset transfer scheme. At this time, we have recently successfully transferred the following assets: –
1) The Green
2) Banks Park (this was completed some years ago)
3) The War Memorial
4) The Cemetery, Station Road
5) Tainty Field
6) The Pocket Park
7) The Recreation Ground and Toilets
8) The Obelisk
There are still two outstanding assets which have not been transferred, the first being the Town hall. It is felt that this may be a “Bridge to Far” with regard to the potential Maintenance cost (Grade 2 listed building). The second is the Boy’s Club in Orchard Road, which was built on land donated to the Council, by residents of Finedon, for the express purpose of building a Boy’s club, the building of which was funded by the people of Finedon. We have expressed our interest in the transfer of this over the last few years with the hope of re-establishing a youth club. At this time WBC are perusing the present lease holder with the hope of getting the building repaired as it is presently derelict.
It is our intention to maintain and enhance these assets for the benefit of the people of Finedon.
We have also taken a lease out on the Library in-order that it can remain open and provide an important service to Finedon, through the efforts of The Friends of the Library.
In conclusion in-order to move forward and improve these assets we have increased our precept substantially i.e., on a band E property from £79.1PA to £139.81PA an increase of £60.71 or £1.17per week, while a band B has gone from £50.34PA to 88.97PA an increase of £38.63 or £0.74 per week. What we can assure you of is that this will ALL be spent in Finedon for the benefit of Finedon.
Please feel free to contact the Council via email clerk@finedontowncouncil.gov.uk or telephone 07947646043 should you have anything you wish to bring to their attention. Providing it is within the Council’s remit, we will try our best to make Finedon a better place to live.
Cllr Terry Kendall-Torry – Chairman, Finedon Town Council
March 2021