Alderley Edge Parish Council agreed at this week's meeting to increase the precept for the next financial year by 33% from £90,000 to £120,000.
The precept is the part of your council tax which is charged by the Parish Council and the increase will mean that the precept will rise from £34.04 to £45.57 for a Band D property.
In addition to the £120,000 they will raise in tax next financial year, the Parish Council expect to carry over £142,400 from this year (money allocated to the development of the festival hall which was not spent) and earn £37,000 from the Festival Hall - giving them a total budget of £299,400.
Attached is the summary of the Parish Council's proposed budget for 2012/13 which shows that £195,000 of the outgoings is allocated to the Festival Hall, which represents 74.4% of the total predicted costs (£262,000).
Operational costs for the hall are budgeted at £70,000 and £75,000 is being allocated to build a new entrance. Legal costs are budgeted at £5000 and there is a contingency of £40,000 should a new roof be required.
Income from the hall is budgeted at £37,000 though the Parish Council feels this could be exceeded because they are applying for an alcohol license enabling them to earn revenue from the bar.
Cllr Joseph Bergin, Chairman of the Finance Committee commented "Until there is significant expenditure on the hall we have got to be realistic about income."
New additions to this year's budget include £5000 towards celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Parish Council are looking at lots of ways of marking the occasion, including closing London Road to hold a street party and something more permanent such as commissioning a piece of art or a statue.
£5000 is also included in next years budget to support Homewatch schemes.
Cllr Mike Williamson explained "There are 33 schemes in the village. I have asked for a list of the streets names to see if there are any glaring omissions because maybe we can help set some up."
Alderley Edge Parish Council took over management of the Festival Hall in 2009 following a review, carried out by consultants on behalf of Macclesfield Borough Council in 2005, concluded that the hall was underused, losing money and out of touch with the modern community.
With the Festival Hall under threat from being demolished and sold to developers for affordable housing, the Parish Councillors fought to save it. The hall was built for the annual Alderley Edge Festival in the 1930's, as a community facility.
Click here to view the Statement of Accounts covering the period from April 1st 2011 to March 31st 2012.
