Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Morecambe Town Council Precepts

17 January 2024 · 0 other contributors · 3,841 words

Opened by David Morris Con Morecambe and Lunesdale

Responding minister: Simon Hoare

Local Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

David Morris raised concerns about morecambe town council precepts in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The MP is concerned about a 231% parish council tax increase in Morecambe, which is believed to be the highest in Britain.
  • The MP urges the Government to freeze council tax at pre-2023 levels and cap the rate of parish council precept increases without requiring a referendum.
  • The Minister promises to write to the town clerk for more information and reviews whether referenda principles should apply to town and parish councils setting excessive increases.

Key requests to Government

The MP urges the Government to freeze council tax at pre-2023 levels and cap the rate at which parish councils can increase their precept without requiring a referendum. He also calls for an investigation by external auditors into parish councils' practices. The MP asks the Government to investigate the situation and ensure that any surplus money from a specific-purpose precept is returned to taxpayers or frozen for future use.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

David Morris Con Morecambe and Lunesdale

The MP is concerned about a 231% parish council tax increase in Morecambe, which is believed to be the highest such increase in Britain. The town council raised £1 million for a community fund without a referendum or proper consultation, and has spent £48,000 on architects' plans for a site not for sale. Additionally, there have been substantial legal costs due to challenges of end-of-year audits, leading to increased spending. The MP is concerned about the significant increase in Morecambe Town Council's precept, which rose by 231% last year to buy an asset that was later not pursued. He worries about transparency and accountability regarding how these funds are being used.

Government Response

Simon Hoare

The Minister acknowledges the concerns raised about Morecambe Town Council's precept increase and promises to write to the town clerk for more information. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance, especially regarding council tax funds. The Government will review whether referenda principles should apply to town and parish councils if they set excessive increases.

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