Council expected to reverse parish funding decision

WEST Berkshire Council is to perform a U-turn over its decision not to transfer funding to parishes - and given them just two weeks to make adjustments to their precepts.
In December the conservative-controlled council controversially voted in favour of not transferring the money it did last year – saying it had not been given clear clarification on the amount it was receiving from central government.
As a result many parish councils decided to raise their precepts. However, this week the district council proposed to transfer some funding and will make its final decision at a meeting on March 4.
In total parishes are expected to receive 75 per cent of the grant, with the remaining 25 per cent staying in the district council's coffers.
The executive member for finance, Alan Law (Con) said: “When pressed at the December meeting I made it clear we would have the option to revisit the decision.
“Now calculations have been completed, I’m pleased to say we should be able to transfer some funding.”
The district council has now emailed and written to parishes informing them of their proposals – and suggested they may want to consider adjusting their precepts accordingly.
Any parish council wishing to make an adjustment has two weeks to do so to meet the February 18 deadline - two weeks before the district council is due to make its final decision on the funding.
When asked if that was enough time for parishes to decide, Mr Law said: “It is a one item discussion. They have been told how much money they are going to get.
“It is a very simple calculation and one I could do in my head in 30 seconds. They need to hold a special council meeting and reset the precept if they desire.
“They have raised precepts by more than the difference in funding, they are trying to slip their expenditure through and blame the council.”
Mr Law added that, should the proposals be agreed on March 4, parishes would receive approximately 61.5 per cent of the funds they did last year due to a reduction in its Revenue Support Grant.
However, parish councils have expressed anger at being asked to making a decision on their precepts before West Berkshire Council confirms its decision.
The chair of Kintbury Parish Council - who were forced to raise their precept by 11 per cent last month blasted West Berkshire Council over the handling of the affair.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, Stephen Cook said: “I am a bit miffed if I’m honest. In my view they shouldn’t be holding any of the money back.
“In my opinion I don’t see how we can change the precept when we still haven’t had confirmation or a guarantee we will receive the funds.
“I would say it is very unlikely we would change our decision now. What if the proposals don’t get agreed? Where are we left then?
“They want to live in the real world, but unfortunately they don’t. We can’t make a decision on the precept based on hearsay.”
Theale Parish Council, who are set to receive 61.5 per cent of the £10,200 they got last year, have had their deadline on declaring its precept extended.
Its clerk, Jo Friend, said: “Most [parishes] don’t have an alternative source of income and for those that do the precept makes up the bulk of their income.
“The Government delay in the announcement of a cap on precepts and West Berkshire changing their tune is causing difficulties for parishes who are trying to plan long term.”
Mrs Friend added Theale would be making a decision with a question mark over it.
West Berkshire Council is proposing a phased reduction in funding to parishes over the next three years and says it intends to eventually pass just 25 per cent of the 2013/14 total on.