A TOWN COUNCIL WILL COST YOU MORE!
There are three main issues that are fundamental in making a decision about whether a Town Council would provide a benefit for residents of the town. These are whether it would improve democracy; whether it is likely to increase the amount of Council Tax residents would have to pay and what would happen to the Mayor and related traditions.
Cost: A Town Council has the power to raise your council tax uncapped whereas Buckinghamshire Council is limited to 5%. Town Council uses to pay for staff, offices and any services that they provided. In Aylesbury this costs residents an £156.19 a year; in Amersham £138.63 ,in Buckingham £208.74 and in Princes Risborough £113.23. This compares to the current cost to High Wycombe residents of £20.12 which is the cost of special expenses and the Mayoralty.
The Mayoralty: There are claims that not having a Town Council will rob High Wycombe of its ancient Mayoralty. In fact, the current situation of having the Mayor and Charter Trustees would continue as these are enshrined in law. They would only be at risk if the town was parished. If there was fragmentation of the town into a number of parishes. Wycombe is home to many traditions such as the weighing in of our mayor and beating of the bounds. The living history of our Mayoralty would not be able to continue if a Town Council was created. The Mayor could continue in a different form, as the Chairman of the Council could be called Mayor. This would make it a political appointment.
Democracy: At the moment responsibilities that would normally be carried out by a Town Council are looked after by the High Wycombe Town Committee. This is a committee of Buckinghamshire Council and is made up of all 24 unitary councillors for the unparished area. As a full committee of the Council it means that it can make recommendations directly to the Cabinet on any issues that affect the town, not just areas within the remit of a Town Council. This means that it has direct influence on Unitary Council projects that affect the town, not just be a consultee as a Town Council would.
