HALSWELL RATES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30133, 17 May 1963, Page 10

HALSWELL RATES

Increase Of 50 Per Cent.

Rates in the Halswell County are to be increased by 50 per cent.— from 7-8 d in the £ to 1 5-16 d. The increase of 7-16 d represents almost Id in the £. In the past, an owner’ of property valued at £3500 has paid £l3 in rates: he will now have to pay about £l9. When the estimates for 1963-64 were placed before a meeting of the council yesterday, the chairman of the finance committee (Mr P. Wynn-Williams) said the proposed expenditure of £41,020 had been reduced to the “absolute minimum." It was estimated that the council’s income would be £13,542, leaving £27,478 to be raised from rates.

The total rateable value appearing on the valuation rolls fo. the county is £5.024,945. Mr Wynn-Williams said there were two reasons for the increase

Although the estimated expenditure would be the same as last year, there would be a slight decrease in revenue. “Last year, we also started with a credit balance—something which we haven’t got this year," he said. Th; chairman (Mr J. Y. Pethig) said the council would have to exercise considerable restraint to get through the year on the amount estimated for. There was-no discussion. The council will confirm the rate at its next meeting The proposed expenditure is made up as follows: administration (including salaries, allowances, office and legal expenses, valuation, audit, insurances and printing and stationary). £6044; roads and bridges. £20.150; subsidised works. £870: fire protection. £660; street lighting, £830: plant renewal and maintenance. £5553: water supply. £2610; miscellaneous and contingencies, £3969.

The estimated receints of £13.542 will include £10.007 from National Road Board subsidies. £l5OO from water supply connexions and charges, and £2035 from licence and permit fees.