PARISH councillors in Thurgoland are doing their bit to keep costs down for householders.
At their meeting on Wednesday, members agreed to levy a precept of £11,615 for the next financial year a rise of one per cent. Last year’s figure was £11,500.
Councillors felt that in the absence of a major project for the village, the precept rise should be kept at a low level. The sum, which goes towards the running of the parish, will be added to council tax bills issued by Barnsley.
Council clerk Avril Sturdy had prepared three options no increase, one per cent or 4.5 per cent.
Deputy chairman Joan Methley said: “We have to think about the people of the village, and 4.5 per cent is a lot.”
Coun Ann Hamblen said: “We would have to have a massive community benefit otherwise we could not do that. And we don’t have such a project in hand.”
Chairman Bob Blythe said the council had some unspent funds from last year and ‘was not short of money’.
“We don’t have a big project, but things do still keep cropping up so I think we need a small increase.”
Coun Gordon Wilkinson pointed out that the council was solvent without any increase.
