Great Shelford Parish Council propose 34 per cent tax rise to fund road safety improvements

A parish council in South Cambridgeshire is proposing to increase its portion of council tax bill by 34 per cent.

The increase, proposed by Great Shelford Parish Council, would mean Band D households pay £206.35 each year to the authority. This is an increase of £52.97 on the previous financial year.

The council says the increase is needed to help fund its plans to “act on significant concerns” around road and traffic safety in the village.

The proposals are due to be discussed at a full council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, 17 January).

The council tax bill households receive is made up of contributions to a number of authorities.

In Cambridgeshire, these include the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, the district and city councils, parish and town councils, as well as for police and fire services.

Parish councils are not limited on how much they can increase their share, unlike most other authorities.

District and city councils are permitted to increase their portion by three per cent or £5, whichever is higher, before they are required to call a referendum.

The county council is allowed to increase its core precept by three per cent, and can increase the additional adult social care precept by two per cent, before needing to call a referendum. Police and fire authorities are also subject to the three per cent increase limit.

The current proposals in Great Shelford could see the parish council receive a total of £422,506 in funding from council tax in the 2024/25 financial year, up from £314,500 in 2023/24.

The council says the money will help fund its plans to look at ways to deter through traffic and manage the speed of vehicles in Church Street.

A parish council spokesperson said: “Following consultations with residents between July 2021 and November 2023, the parish council is acting on the significant concerns residents raised around road and traffic safety.

“With plans to help make the streets safer for all users in the village over the coming years, their first exercise has been to apply for a Local Highway Initiative bid for Church Street, where both the primary school and church are located.

“Plans are looking to deter through traffic, manage the speed of traffic which does pass through and improve the local environment.

“During consultations 63 per cent of residents have positively supported the parish council’s potential expenditure of up to £50,000 to address some immediate issues.

“It is this increase which will be debated at their meeting on Wednesday.”