Burnham: Calls to vote out town council after £25k hike (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)
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Burnham: Calls to vote out town council after £25k hike
9:00am Thursday 22nd November 2012 in Local News By Emma Robinson
Jack Sheppard, left, was outraged by the council's decision
Calls have been made for the public to overthrow Burnham Town Council, after a £25,000 precept was added to next year's council tax.
Councillors have been criticised for adding the hefty sum, given that the majority of this year's £25,000 precept for "special projects" remains unspent.
The latest decision, made at a council budget meeting, will see residents pay a total of £128,250 for 2013-2014.
Councillors originally decided to increase its demand on taxpayers after being told the amount it could request for the following year would be subject to a cap.
Cllr Jack Sheppard, who was the only councillor to have his vote recorded against the decision, is now urging taxpayers to vote against his fellow councillors at the next election.
He said: “I am appalled, I don’t know why the people of Burnham put up with it."
See this week's Burnham Standard for the full story.
Opsiomath says...
5:17pm Thu 22 Nov 12
Taking another £25 000 from hard pressed Burnham ratepayers without a mandate or strategy despite the angry direct feedback from massed residents at the August St. Mary's Church Town Meeting beggars belief
As does their failure to hire a Planning Consultant/Barrister to fight the Local Development Plan also unanimously requested at the August meeting.
They don't seem to realise the fundamental principles of democracy - They are there to represent the elector's views and wishes