County Councillors questions his local town council precept
A Welshpool County Councillor is asking his local Town Council to explain why residents of the town will face the highest council tax bills in Powys this year.
Councillor Graham Breeze, who represents the Welshpool Llanerchyddol Ward on the unitary authority, has sent a public question to the town council’s finance committee which meets later this month.
In the question the councillor has asked that a statement is released explaining to the people of Welshpool why their bills will be so much higher than other towns and communities in Powys.
The town council has levied the same sum on its resident's council tax bills as it did last year, just over £200.
The county councillor says he has been inundated by questions from residents upset at the news of the bill.
“As the Powys County Councillor for the Welshpool Llanerchyddol Ward I have been inundated by residents demanding to know why they will be faced with the highest council tax bill in Powys during 2021/22,” said Councillor Breeze.
“Powys County Council has agreed a 2.9 per cent council tax increase for the 2021/22 financial year, which will be one of the lowest, if not the lowest set by any county authority in Wales.
“So it has therefore come as a great surprise to the people of Welshpool that they will have the biggest council tax bills in the county.
“This is due to the £218.67 precept levied by Welshpool Town Council being the highest for any town or community council in Powys.
“With Street Scene duties handed back to Powys County Council, the Anne Holloway Day Centre now closed and most events cancelled I have asked the Town Council to release a public statement informing the people of Welshpool why their precept is so high - leaving Welshpool residents facing the highest council tax bills in the county.
“It is a question I am unable to answer for residents,” added Councillor Breeze.
“It is appreciated that the Town Council has levied the same precept as in 2020/21. But that’s £41 dearer than Newtown and £200 dearer than Guilsfield residents will have to pay and the people of Welshpool deserve to be told why.”
The letter will go to the town council's finance committee on March 17.
