Labour councillors say their decision to send the mayor’s Special Area Charges decision back for reconsideration was not intended to lead to increased council tax charges for residents in Kempston West or Great Denham.
Adding that the final outcome rests with the mayor and a subsequent vote at full council.
Labour’s councillors Sue Oliver and Zara Layne were among the members of Tuesday’s Budget and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (27 January) to refer the mayor’s decision on how special area charges are applied across the borough back, citing concerns over transparency and missing information.
Read: Labour councillor’s frustration at “political game-playing” over Open Space Management charges
In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the Labour councillors said the group wanted “greater transparency about how this decision was arrived at”, including clearer explanations of the options considered and rejected.
They said Labour continued to support the exclusion of Great Denham and Kempston West open-space costs from Special Area Charges, adding that while they were willing to consider future proposals, the scrutiny vote was “entirely about transparency and process”.
In the joint statement, the councillors said: “We continue to support their exclusion, but are willing to consider any future proposals with regard to Special Area Charges in general and this issue in particular.”
However, they acknowledged that the final outcome would depend on the mayor’s reconsideration of the decision and any subsequent vote by the full council.
Cllr James Valentine (Labour, Kempston West) said the call-in would not result in additional charges for residents in his ward.
“My colleagues asked for more information, but this will not result in any additional taxes for Kempston West residents,” he said.
Addressing fears about the historic open-space charge, he said residents could “feel confident that the £120 annual charge will not be reintroduced”.
The mayor must now reconsider the decision before it can proceed.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
