I disassociate myself from Billericay Town Council’s decision to set the town’s precept at 21.8 per cent for the coming year, which I vehemently opposed at the council meeting on December 17.
I was elected in 2005, opposing the 34.8 per cent increase that year.
Owing to the skilful management of the town’s finances by finance chairman Edgar Guest, the increases for the past three years have been 2.53 percent, 1.62 per cent and zero.
Mr Guest has retired as chairman and the big spenders are back.
The problem for the few town councillors attempting to limit high council tax increases is that the Government only caps borough and district councils to a maximum of 5 per cent.
Billericay Town Council can charge any percentage it decides without any recourse from the taxpayer.
Terence Gandy
Town councillor, Billericay West Ward
Norsey View Drive
Billericay
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