Haxby Town Council has taken the difficult but necessary decision to increase the precept for 2025-26.
The increase means the average (‘band D’) household in Haxby will pay £55.95 per year or £1.08 per week, which is an additional £8.78 per year or 17 pence per week (currently, our Haxby ‘band D’ figure is less than our neighbouring parish councils in Earswick and Huntington).
There are several reasons for the increase.
- We’re filling a significant reduction in the money that City of York Council allocates to us for providing services they would otherwise supply.
- The council’s reserves need to increase to ensure a sufficient contingency and a solid financial footing for the future. The reserves have significantly reduced in the past year due to the legal fees/costs incurred in defending a claim against the council.
- We supported residents’ concerns by objecting to the proposed housing development to the north of Haxby. We procured the services of a specialist planning consultant to assist with the objection which has thus far cost £5,000.
- This is the first year for some time that we’ve had a full complement of staff (a part-time town clerk, a part-time administrator and two part-time outdoor workers). Like other employers, we’ve seen an increase in staff costs, heating and other costs connected with the small staff team and the town councillors who volunteer their time to benefit the community.
- We will support activities that help make Haxby a special and distinct place. This includes protecting important support for youth work (especially when anti-social behaviour is an issue), the renovation of the hitching posts on The Village, grass cutting (where it is Haxby Town Council’s responsibility) and the maintenance and improvement of our children’s play areas. We’ve increased the grants towards Haxby Carnival and the Christmas lights.
- We’re protecting the future by saving money to fund the longer-term renovation of the pavilion on Ethel Ward and the ageing children’s play equipment on Ethel Ward and Mancroft.
- We will progress the neighbourhood plan (together with Wigginton Parish Council) which will set a legal framework for future housing developments in Haxby and Wigginton.
- We haven’t increased the fees charged to local sports clubs and allotment holders, although we will have to consider this in the future.
After several years of exceptional and problematic circumstances due to the pandemic and staffing shortages, Haxby Town Council now has sound financial plans that will bring stability over the coming years. This will enable us to be much more proactive in helping the local community and making Haxby the best it can be.
Published: 27/02/2025 Published by: Haxby Town Council
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