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| Council defends 86% tax increase | Council defends 86% tax increase |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| A small Pembrokeshire community council has explained increasing its council tax demands by 86% at a public meeting. | A small Pembrokeshire community council has explained increasing its council tax demands by 86% at a public meeting. |
| Manorbier Community Council has spent over £50,000 on unsuccessfully defending a court case and settling an unfair dismissal claim. | Manorbier Community Council has spent over £50,000 on unsuccessfully defending a court case and settling an unfair dismissal claim. |
| Further litigation is ongoing. The cases date back before all but two of the current councillors took office. | Further litigation is ongoing. The cases date back before all but two of the current councillors took office. |
| Council chairman Ray Hughes said they had inherited a "challenging situation". | Council chairman Ray Hughes said they had inherited a "challenging situation". |
| The council precept, the money it raises through its share of council tax, is £31,680 for 2009-10. | The council precept, the money it raises through its share of council tax, is £31,680 for 2009-10. |
| That is £14,680 more than last year and equates to £51.17 for each band D property. | That is £14,680 more than last year and equates to £51.17 for each band D property. |
| It means residents in Manorbier pay the second highest precept in Pembrokeshire, just behind Tenby, but more than main towns such as Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock. | It means residents in Manorbier pay the second highest precept in Pembrokeshire, just behind Tenby, but more than main towns such as Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock. |
| I think the general public of this community are sick to death of court cases Ray Hughes, council chairman | I think the general public of this community are sick to death of court cases Ray Hughes, council chairman |
| The council's main outgoings in the community are paying towards the village hall and its football pitches. | The council's main outgoings in the community are paying towards the village hall and its football pitches. |
| Mr Hughes said the new council, formed in May 2008, inherited an ongoing unfair dismissal case by a former part-time clerk that, on the advice of lawyers, it had decided to settle out of court for a total cost of £27,000. | Mr Hughes said the new council, formed in May 2008, inherited an ongoing unfair dismissal case by a former part-time clerk that, on the advice of lawyers, it had decided to settle out of court for a total cost of £27,000. |
| Had they not, Mr Hughes said the eventual bill could have been £40,000 to 50,000. | Had they not, Mr Hughes said the eventual bill could have been £40,000 to 50,000. |
| Previously an unsuccessful attempt to challenge a £4,600 unpaid bill had cost the council over £20,000. | Previously an unsuccessful attempt to challenge a £4,600 unpaid bill had cost the council over £20,000. |
| Two former councillors are also involved in ongoing litigation and if the case continues to the High Court, the community council would be liable for 10% of the final settlement and 10% of the costs incurred by one of the parties. | Two former councillors are also involved in ongoing litigation and if the case continues to the High Court, the community council would be liable for 10% of the final settlement and 10% of the costs incurred by one of the parties. |
| Manorbier CC budget 2009/10 Clerk's wages/expenses £4,700Admin/FOI £1,500Training £500Community Association grant £2,500One Voice Wales £140Audit fees £1,500Costs due to electors' queries £1,000Insurance £800Village hall rent £50Advertising £250Legal fees/tribunal £15,000Welsh language scheme £500Poppy Appeal £25Christmas tree £50Bier House £250Community centre £2,000Clerk's equipment £700School donation £15War memorial £200Total: £31,680Source: Manorbier CC | |
| "Although large costs have been incurred and paid for by members of the community, the current council have done all they can to reduce the levels of the costs," he said. | "Although large costs have been incurred and paid for by members of the community, the current council have done all they can to reduce the levels of the costs," he said. |
| "As a council, we are now wishing to concentrate on ensuring the community is properly served." | "As a council, we are now wishing to concentrate on ensuring the community is properly served." |
| Mr Hughes said £15,000 of this year's precept was earmarked for legal fees. | Mr Hughes said £15,000 of this year's precept was earmarked for legal fees. |
| He said he hoped the outstanding case would be settled quickly and a line drawn under the past. | He said he hoped the outstanding case would be settled quickly and a line drawn under the past. |
| "I think the general public of this community are sick to death of court cases," he added. | "I think the general public of this community are sick to death of court cases," he added. |
| One man, among around 20 members of the public to attend the meeting, called the actions of the previous administration "crass", "stupid" and "irresponsible". | One man, among around 20 members of the public to attend the meeting, called the actions of the previous administration "crass", "stupid" and "irresponsible". |
| "I'm a pensioner and I've got to pay," he said. | "I'm a pensioner and I've got to pay," he said. |
| Some members of the previous council took issue with Mr Hughes. | Some members of the previous council took issue with Mr Hughes. |
| Previous chairman Tony Wales said his statement contained a "number of inaccuracies". | Previous chairman Tony Wales said his statement contained a "number of inaccuracies". |
| "They are very keen to blame the old council," he said, but he added they were not so keen to give them the opportunity to defend themselves. | "They are very keen to blame the old council," he said, but he added they were not so keen to give them the opportunity to defend themselves. |
| He also questioned the current council's decision to settle the unfair dismissal claim out of court. | He also questioned the current council's decision to settle the unfair dismissal claim out of court. |