We have a rare and exceptional opportunity for our community that we would like to share with you...
Since the creation of Batchworth Community Council (BCC) in 2017, we have been looking for a suitable venue within the boundaries of the Council, to provide our community with leisure and wellbeing services. A space that can be used by all of our residents as a social hub: a place to get together in groups for celebrations, meetings, specialist hobby groups, artists or maybe a place for us to meet for a chat. It is also envisioned that if such a venue was available, this would become BCC’s offices. A rare opportunity has now arisen for us to be able to deliver this, and we need to know your thoughts.
In order to secure this venue (community hall), the Council will use some of its existing funds and take out a loan from Central Government. The sum to be borrowed will not exceed £450,000, to be repaid over 35 years from the one-off increase in precept. Based on these figures the loan is expected to cost the Council £29,785 per annum (pa) and the net running costs of the community hall are forecast to cost £18,500pa resulting in a total additional cost of £48,285pa. To pay for these costs, the Council would need to charge an additional ongoing precept for a band D property of approximately £4.70pa for the loan (+18%), and potentially an estimated £2.92pa for the running costs (+11.2%). Estimates of additional ongoing precept charge for loan per annum.
With this increase of precept it is likely, although not guaranteed, you should see a decrease in the tax you are paying to Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) for Watersmeet, as this would cease to be our community hall. Currently residents in the BCC area collectively pay a total of £68,636pa in special expenses to TRDC for Watersmeet which equates to £10.82pa for a Band D household. This table shows how much you currently pay per annum towards Watersmeet as a community hall.
In order to secure this exceptional opportunity, we need your support and would very much appreciate it if you would take part in our consultation.
If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity please contact: clerk@batchworth-ecc.gov.uk
*All figures are approximate and are calculated on interest rates at the date of print and precept & TRDC district elements 2023/24.
You can complete the consultation online by scanning this QR Code, or go straight to the consultation:
