North Somerset Lib Dem News

Portishead Town Council Budget

posted Friday 12th January 2007
category: Portishead

Press Release

Portishead Town council will set its 2007-8 budget at the January 17th meeting.  A working party met this week to put forward recommendations, which will be further debated at that meeting.

After agreeing that £30,000 could come from reserves the final recommended precept for 2007-8 was £375,897 or £45.62 for Band D.  This is an increase of approximately 14p/week after allowing for inflation.  This will enable the council to provide much-needed facilities for the fast growing town, in line with Liberal Democrat proposals.

In her introduction Councillor Daisy Bickley (Lib Dem) pointed out that under-funded North Somerset could only provide a basic service and that to improve on this the Town Council would need to raise money locally.

A proposal for £70,000 for community facilities for the new Village Quarter had cross-party support.  

Councillor Gething (Lib Dem) reminded councillors that for 2006-7 North Somerset Council had promised to spend £40,000 at the Lake Grounds and the town council £30,000 for equipment for younger children.  He said, “We should build on this momentum. The Lake Grounds are pathetic and play equipment for the older children needs bringing up to standard with a rolling programme of improvements.”  He proposed £30,000 for 2007-8, which could be used for the Lake Grounds and the town council-owned play areas.

Public consultation about providing a new skate park for the town is getting underway and Councillor John S Clark (Lib Dem) proposed that the town council match any fund-raising for this, with £45,000 going into this year’s budget.

Councillor Mike Johnston (Lib Dem) discussed the concept of a Parish Plan, which would enable councillors to take a long-term view of the future of the town.  This would require some professional input as to the devising and analysis of a residents’ questionnaire. Based on other councils’ experiences it was agreed to put £3000 into the budget.

In response to Conservatives who said this would mean an unacceptable increase in an already “high” precept, councillor Bickley pointed out that last year ten local councils levied at least £1/week from their residents.  For Portishead this would equate to an extra £15/year or just 29p per week above the existing level.

Councillor John H Clark (Lib Dem) said, “The standard of living is not just about pounds, shillings and pence, it is also what is provided in the public realm.”  
Councillor Jean Lord (Lib Dem) said, ”Socially provided amenities are even more important for disadvantaged youngsters.  These proposals are an investment in their and society’s future”.