COULD HAVE BEEN TAXING TIME FOR THREE WISE MEN/WOMEN OF BRIGG

It looked like only three Brigg councillors would be permitted to have their say on setting the parish precept - that's how much the Town Council needs from households to carry out its work during the 2013/4 financial year. However, the town council has managed to put things in place so all 19 came have a say, having taken wise counsel from the East Riding and North Lincolnshire Local Councils Association.
Councillors at their December meeting were advised that, under the Localism Act 2011, "there is no standard exemption to enable members who are residents of Brigg to participate in any discussions that will determine the precept to the levied."
As a result, members of Brigg Town Council who live in Brigg were required to lodge a formal application for dispensation - in writing - to be allowed to have a say on this fundamental and important issue. Something that's central to being a councillor elected by the people.
Councillor Mike Campion was clearly unimpressed with the law-drafting on this issue. With more than a hint of sarcasm he told his colleagues living in Brigg that they could safely leave things in the good hands of himself, Coun John Kitwood and Coun Lesley Whitehand, who all live outside the town!
"Someone in Whitehall will have egg on their faces," he suggested in reference to the Act. "There's been a slip-up."
Brigg Blog will report further on the process of setting the precept in the New Year. North Lincolnshire Council does the collecting on behalf of itself and parish and town councils. It is known as a precepting authority, if you are interested. Few will be!