By John Baron
Householders living in Horsforth will pay extra precept over the next two financial years to help cover the costs of creating a new community hub in the town.
Horsforth Town Council is leasing and developing 3 and 5 The Green – which also houses Horsforth Museum and The Stables – into a multi-use community space.
To ensure the building is fully completed, equipped, and open for community use this year, the Town Council is seeking a Public Works Loan of £200,000, subject to approval by the Secretary of State.
In June the council launched a public consultation to ask if Horsfordians supported an approximate a 3.8% precept rise, or an additional 77p per Band D property annually to cover the cost.
The results were in favour of increasing the precept and the council has proceeded with the loan application.
Horsforth Town Council chair Gill Garvani said: “The downstairs at number 3 is nearing completion and we are hoping that building works will be finished in the next few weeks.
“All of the information for the loan to complete phase two of the works has been sent to the Secretary of State and we are awaiting the outcome of that application.
“We do not have a definite opening date as yet, but current thinking is to have a soft opening towards the end of the year, with a more formal opening at some point in the new year.”
The results of the consultation were:
- Are you in FAVOUR of the parish council going ahead with the proposed loan? Yes 126; No 54.
- Are you in FAVOUR of Horsforth Town Council going ahead with the proposed loan for 3&5 The Green development if it includes a council tax precept increase? Yes 121; No 60.
More details on the results and the project can be found here.
The development of the buildings will not affect the normal operation of the museum, which has contributed towards the cost of a lift to improve accessibility.
Number 3, once completed, will provide public spaces, available for hire at “reasonable cost” to cover ongoing maintenance of the building, for community activities and events such as youth groups, community organisation events or meetings and adult learning and activities.
Town and parish councils set a precept payment amount to cover the amount of money required from council tax payers in the area and represents the difference in the councils estimated income against their planned spending requirements.