Does Hatfield NEED a Town Council?

Promoted by R. Davidson on behalf of WHCA, Maynard House, The Common, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 0NF
Links: Hatfield Town Council

Hatfield Town Council was a formed in 1894 as Hatfield Parish Council. The civil parish of Hatfield is one of the largest in the country covering an area from Lemsford in the north to Newgate Street in the south. The Town Council provides: Birchwood Leisure Centre, Roe Hill Hall, Oxlease House, Lemsford Hall, parks and recreation areas, town twinning, grants to local organizations, Hatfield Festival, After School Clubs, School Holidays Schemes and more......

Welwyn Hatfield Council also provides services, in Hatfield, which fall within the Town Councils responsibilities. Since the demolition of Cavendish Hall, we are only charged for Open Spaces. This works out at £39,830 which equates to £4.11 on a Band D Council Tax as Special Expenses.

Much of the feeling in Hatfield against the Town Council, we feel, comes on two fronts.

1. Hatfield Council Taxpayers pay more than WGC, band for band.

2. The Birchwood Leisure Centre is seen as an expensive white elephant.
Arguments For Hatfield Town Council

It is a council specific to Hatfield.

It runs events specific to Hatfield.

Wholly elected by the people of Hatfield.

A small team of staff which can be responsive.

The Town Council sets higher standards for its facilities and play areas.

The Town Councillors decide the Town Tax.

The District Council, with a vast majority of non - Hatfield ward Councillors, would decide issues in Hatfield.

At a Parish Poll about 10% of electors voted to abolish it. About 90% were for, didn't know, couldn't care less.

 Arguments Against Hatfield Town Council

As with WGC, Hatfield could be administered under the special expenses regime.

It doesn't have the financial muscle of the District Council.

There is an overlap of responsibilities with the Town and District Council doing the same job in some areas.

The Town Council tax is the highest in the District.

The District will set lower standards for facilities which will cost less.

There is little enthusiasm amongst Hatfield people for the Town Council.

It doesn't have much real power.

A Town Poll voted to abolish it.
Vote Here!

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WHC areas: Howe Dell, Burleigh, Redhall, Lemsford, Chantry Lane, Hazel Grove, Minster Copse, Oxlease Woods and Allotments.

Special Expenses: Where the District provides services within the District which would normally be provided by Parish or Town Councils, the residents in a particular area are charged Special Expenses. This mainly affects WGC but also applies to Hatfield and to a very small extent Welwyn. Special expenses are an addition to the normal council tax.