Councillor Marion Birch, chairman of Croxley Green Parish Council, announces this year's budget (From Watford Observer)

Councillor Marion Birch, chairman of Croxley Green Parish Council, announces this year's budget

11:57am Tuesday 9th February 2010 in

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Croxley Green Parish Council announced an increase of one per cent for this year's precept, money raised by local taxation to provide services.

By withdrawing £10,000 from the council's reserves, the council was able minimise the increase to just £2,000.

David Allison, clerk to the council, said: “Budgeting finance from the reserves is a mechanism to potentially underwrite any necessary expenditure identified by the council in undertaking its duties, functions and objectives.

“While reserve money is budgeted, it is not always the case that the money is actually used due to good and responsible financial management by the council during the year.”

At a meeting held on Thursday, January 28, the council set the precept at £244,967.

Mr Allison added: “About £1,000 of the increase is to provide additional salt bins in the area, a matter which residents have indicated they would welcome, given the appalling weather conditions experienced recently.”

The other £1,000 with the assistance of a Locality Budget Grant from Croxley Green’s County Councillor, Steve Drury, will go to provide additional festive lighting on Scots Hill at Christmas.

Councillor Marion Birch, chairman of the parish council, said: “This very modest increase in the precept will greatly assist residents in times of inclement weather and the extra Christmas decorations will bring a little cheer at a time when we all need brightening up.”