Outcry at 'insulting' 400 per cent increase in Desborough council tax

A former councillor says the decision to increase the Desborough Council precept on his tax bill by more than 400 per cent is 'insulting'.
David Coe was left stunned after opening his council tax bill to find his Desborough Council precept had risen from £19.10 to £96.98. PPP-150721-115036001David Coe was left stunned after opening his council tax bill to find his Desborough Council precept had risen from £19.10 to £96.98. PPP-150721-115036001
David Coe was left stunned after opening his council tax bill to find his Desborough Council precept had risen from £19.10 to £96.98. PPP-150721-115036001

David Coe was left stunned after opening his council tax bill to find his Desborough Council precept had risen from £19.10 to £96.98.

The decision has left the town’s residents up in arms, with a petition already launched to fight the raise.

Mr Coe said: “The Desborough precept rise is completely unjustified.

“I’ve been told it’s because the administration costs are enormous but money is being spent on things which Kettering Council and Northants County Council should pay for, like improving youth facilities.

“Desborough residents are effectively paying for stuff twice and they are all up in arms.”

Mr Coe was Kettering Council’s mayor in 1983/84 and was a Desborough Town councillor for more than 40 years before retiring last year.

He added: “Two years ago the precept was £5. Then it went up to £19.

“To put it up to £96 is outrageous.

“The residents of Desborough are now paying that much more than Kettering residents and frankly it’s insulting.

“There are a lot of people who are angry with the decision because it’s not in reason.”

A petition to fight the precept raise has already attracted more than 700 signatures.

Desborough Council has been contacted for a comment.

To view the petition, click here.

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