Dear Residents,

I am writing to you all to explain the recent increase in our Precept. I have been on the Parish Council since 2011 and I believe it is the first time since then that we have had to consider a significant increase.

At our meeting on Monday, 7th January 2019, all members of the Parish Council agreed to an increase to meet its current obligations as well as the long overdue refurbishment of the Parish Hall.

The Parish Council owns the hall and has a duty to maintain it to a standard “fit for the purpose” for the benefit of all the community. When we produced our Parish Plan in 2014 and asked for views from residents about the hall, the majority opinion was for our existing historic hall to be refurbished.

Since then Councillors have been working hard behind the scenes, alongside architects and listed buildings experts to draw up plans for not only the refurbishment of the hall but to be able to provide a storage area by means of a small extension for equipment which at present we cannot provide. We are very close to having detailed plans available for all to view.

We have also just completed a Business Plan which includes future marketing for the hall. As soon as the hall has been updated and is once again ‘fit for purpose’, it is envisaged that it will be self-funding and the hub of the community.

As you may be aware, we were successful in securing some S106 money from the development at Alderley Park which will go a long way towards the refurbishment and gave us our initial platform to proceed with the repairs needed. However, as a result of the findings and recommendations of the following surveys: Condition Survey, Timber Survey, Mechanical and Electrical Survey, Measurement Survey and a Bat Survey, there is a shortfall. The works are extensive and include all remedial works necessary, along with new toilets, improved disabled access (at the moment there are several levels within the interior of the hall), new heating lighting etc. and as mentioned earlier, a small extension to the rear of the hall.

After much deliberation, the Parish Council approved that the shortfall should be spread over a two year period (2019/20 and 2020/21) to mitigate these costs, after which the Precept will be reduced in line with day to day commitments. I can assure you that the decision was not taken lightly but with much due consideration.

Therefore, the Parish Council’s Precept has been increased accordingly and for 2019-2020 will be £46,000.00 which equates to £90.08 for a Band D property.

Whilst I appreciate that this is a significant rise for the next 2 years, we are minded that the hall is very much a community asset and myself and fellow Councillors believe that this is a fair way to raise the necessary monies which spreads the cost between all residents.

I very much hope that you understand our reasoning. The Parish Council will hold an open event for all residents to come along to as soon as we have all our plans formalised. At which point we will be able to share our vision with all the residents and parishioners.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

Kind regards,

Jenny Shufflebottom

Chairman of Nether Alderley Parish Council
Jenny.shuff.napc@gmail.com

21. March, 2019Latest News Comments Off on PRECEPT 2019/20

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