‘Tax grant was meant for us’

In a motion passed on Wednesday at the annual meeting of Bedfordshire Association of Local Councils, they called their national body to request a government Minister intercede on their behalf with Central Beds.

Adam Zerny, an independent Central Beds councillor and a Potton Town councillor, said: “The government intended this money to go to parish and town councils so I was extremely disappointed to see Central Beds Council refuse to pass the funds on this year.

“I support this motion by the Bedfordshire Association of Local Councils and hope it will result in local councils getting what they’re due.”

The Council Tax Support Grant was setup by the Government in 2013 to make up for losses in the shake-up of council tax rules.

All unitary authorities receive the money. In two-tier systems like Central Beds it was assumed a portion of it would be passed down to town and parish councils.

But so far, Central Beds is one of a number of authorities that has refused to do so.

Shefford Mayor Paul Mackin said: “All we are asking for is some honesty and for Central Beds Council to admit they are increasing council tax by not giving us the money.

“We would usually raise our precepts by about three percent but because of what is happening some of us are having to raise it to almost 16 percent to cover our costs.”

In response to the criticism, Central Beds Councillor Maurice Jones, said: “We have been very clear with all the town and parish councils about the fact that there is no longer a standalone council tax support grant.

“In these times of austerity all councils are facing real challenges in meeting increasing service demands with less funding.

“At Central Bedfordshire, we have addressed this with a relentless focus on efficiency, and as a result we have saved more than £70million since we were created without cutting front-line services.

“But it is difficult, and in reality we are simply not in a position to release our revenue support grant from government – which does not include any ring-fenced council tax support grant – to other councils.

“Our advice would be that they need to be as focused on saving money as we have been.”