Sir,
The latest letter from Middridge finally bares the truth, namely that to Middridge Council this is all about money. Council Tax as well as Community Infrastructure levy (CIL).
In 2011 the submissions from Middridge to the County Council on future housing provision theywere all opposed to any houses being built on Eldon Whins. Yet now Middridge Council is getting all upset, not because housing has been approved for that site for the future, but because Great Aycliffe Town Council dare to request that an area of future housing that will form a natural part of Newton Aycliffe should come under the Town Boundary.
The consequence of the houses (and at least 342 are envisaged by the County Council) are that if they remain in Middridge Parish boundary they get the Council Tax and CIL money from it. People in Eldon Whins will be geographically part of Newton Aycliffe, use Newton Aycliffe’s facilities and services yet contribute nothing to Newton Aycliffe.
I totally support our Town Council in having the Boundary changed, these people will be part of Newton Aycliffe in every respect, and should pay their share just like everyone else in Great Aycliffe. Indeed by being within our boundary the additional houses will expand the tax base on which Council Tax is calculated thus reducing everyone’s council tax.
If it remains in Middridge’s boundary, Eldon Whins residents will outnumber and out vote any Middridge Village attempt to stop further development. It’s council will be out voted indeed elected decided by the majority in Eldon Whins on everything, out voting the original Village residents by at least 2 to 1.
The really stupid suggestion that we should wait several years for the houses to be built, then ask the residents which parish they wish to belong to, is the same as ‘do turkeys vote for Christmas’.
If we wait for the houses to be built why would any resident choose to pay a higher Council Tax to Great Aycliffe Town Council, when they could simply choose to pay the lower tax to Middridge Council but still use everything in Newton Aycliffe without the cost that everyone else in Great Aycliffe Shares. This is what happened with the Chestnuts area of school Aycliffe. Our Town Council is absolutely right.
Great Aycliffe Town Council have done the sensible and proper thing by asking Middridge Council to mutually agree the change hence it would have removed the need for a Community Governance review. Middridge Council realising they could not stop the housing they simply want the money it brings.
The Town Council had no choice but to request for the County Council review which is lawful, democratic, proper and above board open and morally justified.
To do otherwise would have been a dereliction of duty by our Councillors, who are elected and paid to serve Great Aycliffe not Middridge. I fully support our Town Councillors in seeking this change it will benefit Great Aycliffe, be fair, and reduce Council Tax, by adding to our Tax Base, whilst at the same time ensuring people living in part of Newton Aycliffe pay their fair share and contribute to what the Town provides. The tail does not wag the dog. Sign the petition.
K Curry
Stainforth Close