Shropshire town council is set to be refunded big rates bill

Councillors have welcomed news that Newport Town Council is set to be refunded a big rates bill for an electronic sign after a successful challenge.

The council's resource and finance committee was told that it will take some months before a full refund is made and the authority will have to continue to pay until the issue is finally settled.

Councillors were carrying out a line-by-line review of recent spending by the council which includes £3,318 on 'electronic noticeboards'.

The council had only budgeted £250 for the illuminated noticeboard which the council wanted to use to advertise community events.

After being told that the board could not be placed in the window of a listed building it was placed on the side of the toilet block in the Stafford Street car park.

But the taxman judged that it was subject to business rates. It had a rateable value of £13,000. The sign was soon removed to a rates-free position after the council received the shock bill.

Jo Reay, the town clerk, told councillors that the council will get the money back.

"But we still have to pay it until they catch up," she said.

Councillors welcomed the news that the council had been successful in challenging the bill.

Committee members also queried budget busting bills for 'professional fees' and tree maintenance.

The council had put aside £5,500 for professional fees but has spent £6,675.

Councillors were told that this 21 per cent overspend is to do with solicitor bills as they buy a town centre building as an investment property.

The council had also budgeted £500 for tree maintenance but has spent £1,350.

Councillors were told that this is because there has been more tree maintenance work than expected.

Councillors received the latest income and expenditure report which recorded the overall budget position for the year so far.