By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are concerns tax could go up for Cheltenham households after local government reorganisation if a town council is created.
The Government plans to abolish county and district authorities in England and one or two new unitary councils could be created in Gloucestershire to deliver the services they currently provide.
In Cheltenham, that would mean the Borough Council would cease to exist, however there are plans to potentially create a parish council for the town.
A community governance review is currently underway with aim to understand whether there is support for setting up any new town or parish councils in the borough of Cheltenham.
The review will also consider whether any of the existing parish councils of Charlton Kings, Leckhampton with Warden Hill, Prestbury, Swindon Village or Up Hatherley wish to amend their existing boundaries.
Former councillor Tim Harman asked for an estimate of the likely amount each household would pay annually for the new council.
Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) said in her written response that it was too early in the process to say.
“The community governance review is not at the point when any decisions could be made about future precepts,” she said.
“Currently, it is premature to predict what the shape of town and parish councils would be in Cheltenham going forward so estimates cannot be provided.”
Mr Harman asked in a follow-up question at Monday’s (December 15) full council meeting for any consultation to explain to the public that a new town council could lead to a higher tax bill.
“In Park ward, where I live, currently not parished, every household would potentially pay an additional level of tax,” he said.
Cllr Hay said she could not confirm that either way as the review is still underway and a second consultation would take place next year.
“Simply, we’ve done the first tranche of consultation,” she said. “I can’t tell you whether there would be any more parishes or a town council.
“To try and speculate that there would be and what that precept would be, it is too early to tell.”