Why a parish council is raising tax by 180%

For the residents of a town in Nottinghamshire to continue to benefit from the area's parks, green space and events - they must pay more.

That is the message from Radcliffe-on-Trent Parish Council, after it increased its council tax precept by almost 180% - a striking figure that has divided opinion among residents since its announcement.

Now those behind it have told the BBC that they could not continue to organise the area's facilities and council-run events without the increase.

In a message akin to the well-known phrase "you get what you pay for", parish council chair Anne McLeod said: "It's got to happen, to enable what you take for granted to carry on."

The precept is paid alongside council tax to Nottinghamshire County Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council, the fire service and police and crime commissioner.

Most authorities cannot raise council tax by more than 4.99% in any one year - but parish and town councils do not have the same restrictions.

The increase, effective from April, means a Band D property will pay £6 a week to the parish council, an increase from £2.15 per week. Overall, the yearly parish council precept for a Band D property now stands at £312 - up from £111.88.

Last year, the parish council collected £354,000 from the precept, but those in charge said this would not cover its staffing costs for its current budget.

Joe Pope, executive officer at the parish council - who joined the authority a year ago - said it was "not a decision taken lightly".

"There were years and years where there was little to no increase at all, which left the parish council in a position where the funds were not going to cover anywhere near the costs of operating," he said.

He added last year's budget factored in £354,000 worth of grant funding - which had not actually been applied for.

"It led to quite a significant deficit, which resulted in putting a non-essential spending pause on for three quarters of the year to prevent a significant overspend," he said.

"I understand it couldn't be a worse time with the cost of living. The councillors live in the parish as well. The message is that we are investing now to safeguard the spaces residents value."

Chair Anne McLeod has been on the parish council since 2019.

"I would've never wanted to put up the precept this much, but realistically it was underfunded for many, many years and there was a 'make do and mend' principle," she said.

"There comes a time when you have to draw a line in the sand and invest money for the future."

She pointed to the events the council helps arrange including the Christmas lights switch-on, summer carnival, firework displays and community music event Radfest.

She said: "We have far more playgrounds than many areas and we have a skate park that people come to from all over the Midlands for because it is so well designed.

"We have a lot of facilities and there's a real sense of community. It's essential that we hang on to that.

"There's only so long that you can put on these events without having to input a little bit more money."

The council has income sources from hire fees for wedding venue Grange Hall, and cemetery fees.

But Pope said the parish council precept did not increase by more than 1% for 10 years - and in seven of those, he pointed out that it did not increase at all.

He added the council had to pay out for a number of repairs in its last budget, including £11,000 for play equipment, £1,500 for the cemetery wall and £33,000 on resurfacing the recreation ground car park.

Mum of three Helen Wilkinson, who is retired and lives in the town, said: "It's shocking. When you haven't got much money and you've got three kids at home, it feels never-ending.

"It's nice to do stuff around here but the increase does feel harsh.

"When you've got to pay for food, clothes and bills - it's a nightmare."

Victoria Barski added: "We are able to pay it, but I don't know if we will see an increase in services."

The 75-year-old retiree added: "I don't think I gain an awful lot from it, quite frankly."

But Radcliffe-on-Trent resident Richard Clarke feels "you can adjust and cut your cloth accordingly".

Clarke, who has lived in Radcliffe for much of his life and previously been a councillor, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he counts himself "very lucky" as he lives in a Band A property - meaning the rise will only cost him "probably a cup and a half of coffee per week extra", which he says he does not mind.

Fellow resident Stuart Learmonth said he also understood the rise.

The 61-year-old told the BBC: "180% sounds like a lot, but it's not. I am not bothered in the slightest.

"There's been an awful lot of fuss made about it, but when you consider how much it actually is per annum.

"Compared to other things that are going up in life, it's sweet easy. I've been living here for 12 years and I love it."

Additional reporting from Joseph Connolly

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