Battle precept rises amid controversy

An email error meant some councillors had not seen the minutes from the finance & general purposes committee meeting containing all the background figures on the precept.

Cllr Richard Jessop proposed a separate meeting to give them a chance to read the minutes and discuss the precept but he was defeated.

Cllr Paula Fisher abstained from the vote because she believed she could not decide on something without seeing the background information.

However, the increase was unanimously agreed by all the other members at Tuesday’s meeting at the Almonry.

The precept is a tax charged on every household in Battle and funds the council’s budget.

It is calculated by all the various committees putting forward their budgets which collectively makes the town council’s budget, this then informs what amount it needs to function.

The precept is then added to the total council tax bill, collected by Rother District Council.

The 1.5 per cent increase means the precept will raise £252,683 for the town council in 2016/17.

The average band D property will go from paying £93.30 per year to £95.40 for town council services, including the allotments, the cemetery and street lighting.

For more information visit: www.battletowncouncil.org.uk.

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