New local tax on Corby citizens proposed to pay for new town council

Corby councillors will discuss the proposal next week to create a new town council and the way to pay for it at a meeting on Tuesday, November 3.

Council officers have produced a discussion paper to establish a Corby Town Council, to work within the new North Northamptonshire Council from April 1.

Northamptonshire County Council will cease to exist with the borough councils of Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough, and East Northants District Council no longer part of a two-tier structure.

The paper to be discussed by members of the One Corby Policy Committee will seek to set up the town council a 'safe and legal' manner and in a way that is 'financially sustainable'.

Corby Town Council will be a new independent body with limited statutory responsibilities paid for by 'a new tax levied on the citizens of Corby only'.

The tax, or precept, will be part of the council tax bill and new for 82 per cent of those living in the current Corby borough - in 'unparished' areas.

To cover the costs of the new town council, officers have asked for £15,000 from reserves to cover paying for the Northamptonshire County Association Of Local Councils to help with the project, and to pay for a new coat of arms from the College of Arms.

Elections for the new town council would be held in May 2021, combined with the elections for the new unitary council and for the police, fire and crime commissioner.

Existing parished areas may also have elections on that day.

Proposed councillors would be: one for Corby Old Village, four each for Corby West, Kingswood, Lloyds and Oakley.

Corby Borough Council will be dissolved on March 31, 2021, with the creation of North Northamptonshire Council on April 1, 2021.

The meeting starts at 7pm on Tuesday, November 3. For further details click here.