Chairperson: Morag Norgan
Arguments For: Chris Honey
Arguments Against: Rosemary Read
NHDC representative: John Robinson, Strategic Director of NHDC
Arguments For
- Hitchin is currently missing out because it is not operating on a level playing feel with other towns in North Herts
- A TC would be a voice for Hitchin on matters affecting the town
- A TC would provide more local focus – based in Hitchin and focusing only on Hitchin matters
- A TC would have a voice in Planning (statutory consultee) to help protect the special character of Hitchin
- Money raised in Hitchin would be spent on Hitchin
- A TC would bring added value to Hitchin
- A TC could make a real and visible difference to the town
Arguments Against
- TCs have 2 duties (allotments and to hold an annual meeting) but potentially wide ranging powers.
- Much of what a TC could do a District Council must do
- The work is generally not “high profile” – people may want to become Town Councillors for the wrong reasons
- Planning – how much power does a TC really have? They can comment but the decision still lies with the Planning Department. What could a TC do which Hitchin Forum and other like groups don’t already do?
- Do we have enough people wanting to stand? Vacant seats and seats filled with no opposition is hardly democratic!
- Who does the TC really represent? “Town Centre” issues seem to be the kind of things which motivate most (eg litter, dog mess), but what about issues affecting community areas?
- What can go wrong with a TC? Politiking; problems getting rid of a TC if we try it and don’t like it (eg Letchworth); no cap on the precept that can be set
- It will cost Hitchin residents money – precept is levied in addition to the council tax. Hitchin has very active community groups which achieve a great deal without any levy on local taxes.
John Robinson, Strategic Director NHDC
- The government has devolved power on whether to establish a TC to the District Councils based on a series of considerations
- A review process is triggered by a) a petition (10% of the population in favour), or b) a DC review
- Secretary of State has made it clear that levies are not limitless, due to high overspending by some councils
- A TC is a statutory consultee on planning matters – if a TC objects to an application, NHDC must look more closely at the application, but its final decision is still bound by the law
- Establishing a TC is not a way of changing District policy
- NHDC is encouraging debate about TCs – only Hitchin and Baldock have no TC
- Central government is positively disposed in favour of TCs
- If the DC enters into a review process it has 12 months to make a decision and will consider wide ranging views and take all factors into consideration in arriving at its decision. The decision regarding establishment of a TC ultimately lies with the DC.
- Once established, it is highly unlikely a TC would be ab olished
- Elected councillors make the decision about what they do and what levy they should raise. There is no way of knowing in advance what this is likely to be and voters don’t have the ability to influence this.
Question and Answer session
What would Hitchin taxpayers say when they see extra levy on their bill?Taxpayers are likely to be very sceptical regarding what their payment could deliver.
If the TC does all the jobs described, would the DC be able to do with less councillors? DC statutory responsibilities will not change and therefore a TC would represent an additional charge.
What has changed since the 1970s when Hitchin opted out? There is an argument that NHDC made a mistake at this point in deciding differently to Royston etc.
What will a TC cost?
At present nobody can accurately predict this. The DC will set the precept for the first year and town councillors will have freedom to set the rate in subsequent years.
What will a TC do for the money? TC may be delegated powers from other organisations who own assets (eg verges, cemeteries, Town Hall …). They cannot do anything which is not delegated to them.
Are we not afraid of escalating costs of the precept if there is no cap?
Independent research at the University of Aberystwyth comes to the overall conclusion that the benefits of TCs outweights the costs. Also there is a focus in their research on the additionality of what a TC offers.
What does the panel feel about paying money into existing bodies to improve the outcome from monies as opposed to spending significant amounts of a local levy just on bureaucracy? The BID process currently ongoing could be a good test bed which might be extended
There is a potential conflict between the BID process and going out to try and agree a TC process at the same time.
BID = Business Improvement District scheme and involves payments only by the businesses of a defined area of the town centre.
Will ballots and responses to this meeting be publicised and what will happen next? ITCH group will review and come up with a public statement which reflects the views collected, and this will be publicised (local press etc).
What is the voting process? Simple majority ballot, like other local elections.
What is required to get a petition set up?
Petition signed by 10% of the eligible voters is required to trigger a review by the DC of whether a TC should go ahead.
Would businesses face a double whammy with a BID and TC levy?
John Robinson to revert – answer not known.
What happens next? DC is required to consult and represent the view of local people. For Letchworth, they chose a referendum, but this is not mandatory.
Option exists to use full or edited version of the electoral role.
Ultimate decision is made by the elected councillors of NHDC, ie a referendum is not a binding decision.
The meeting closed with a straw poll show of hands to determine approximate numbers in favour and against the notion of a TC for Hitchin:
Majority against
(This page was updated on 11th February 2009.)
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