Labour led Harwich Town Council has set the Town council precept for 2016-17 and the precept is to remain at £32.02 for a Band D household. This means that the cost per household is only 62 pence per week.
The budget has been constructed in a manner that will allow Harwich Town Council to continue to offer a £40,000 budget for grant aid to local organisations and good causes. Labour was particularly keen to ensure this support was available as the Conservative/Independent administration running TDC is set to withdraw all such grant aid leaving the voluntary sector with nowhere to turn.
The recent £16,000 investment that has resulted in the town owning its own Christmas lights is backed up in this budget with the funding to guarantee their installation so the days when there was annual uncertainty over Christmas lights are well and truly over. The budget also includes the necessary funding for the Town centre hanging baskets which are a very popular feature throughout the summer.
The council’s focus on promoting local tourism is also reflected in the budget with funding available to continue with the shuttle bus service for cruise ship crews, funding towards a new tourism related web site along with the opportunity to support other tourism related initiatives as they are developed.
The budget includes the necessary financial support requested by the council’s committees to allow them to fulfil their functions and ensures that there is sufficient in reserves to allow for unforeseen issues or emergencies.
Chairman of the council’s Finance committee, Labour’s Pam Morrison, says, “This budget will not add a penny to the council tax and will ensure that we have the opportunity to offer support to local groups, organisations and good causes. People are very surprised that Harwich Town Council only costs them 62 pence per week per household and yet offers so much to the local community. This budget will enable that good work to continue.”
For further information please contact Harwich Labour Press Officer, Garry Calver on 01255-551940