Conservative delight at Expensive parish council defeat After many months of uncertainty, Wakefield Conservatives are pleased to inform you that Horbury residents will not be hit with a new tax to fund a proposed parish council. This is a victory for common sense – at a time when we are all tightening our belts the last thing Horbury needed was another costly layer of bureaucracy.
The vote clearly indicated what the residents of Horbury, Horbury Bridge and Horbury Junction thought about the application for a Parish council. With over 99.26% against and 0.72% (14 residents) in favour. This is the third time a petition has been submitted resulting in a clear indication that any future applications for a parish council will receive the same fate.
The application failed to access the added financial burden it would impose and what effect it would have on Families and OAP’s. Given that it can charge what ever the elected Parish Council wanted it to be. It would fail to reflect the wishes of the majority and be promoted by the few.
Local councillor, Graham Jesty, led the campaign against the proposal. He said: “Ever more politicians won’t solve Wakefield’s problems and now is not the time to hit people with another layer of taxation.”
Alex Story, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Wakefield, supported Cllr Jesty. He added: "We know that most people don't work hard for fun. They work hard because they want to improve life for themselves and their families. We took a decision to campaign against the Parish Council proposal which would have been another layer of useless bureaucracy. We didn't feel people would want to pay another tax on top of their council tax just to create another talking shop.I’m delighted the overwhelming majority of you agreed with us.”
