Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian
The Unobstructed View
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...h-speed-rail-could-hit-council-taxpayers.html
The prospect of cities having to make a contribution was buried in the small print of one of the documents produced by the Department for Transport last week.
It had been thought the £32.7 billion needed to build the 351-mile network from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester would be funded by central government.
But the Command Paper setting out the project made clear that a contribution will be expected from “parties who would benefit directly from opportunities and development” of HS2.
Businesses and developers could also be expected to contribute financially under Government plans.
“It is fair and right that they work collaboratively with the Government on options to support the project financially. Depending on specific circumstances, this might involve the commitment of funds,” the paper adds.
The prospect of council taxpayers in some parts of the country horrified Martin Tett, the Tory leader of Buckinghamshire, who has spearheaded council opposition to the Government’s flagship scheme.
"I suspect a number of my colleagues will be surprised to learn that, buried deep within the proposal, the Department for Transport expects them and their Council Tax payers to help fund the £33bn cost of HS2.
“For many this will be a 'double whammy' as both Income and Council Tax payers,” he said.
The cities most likely to be asked to make a contribution are those with high speed stations, such as Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and Derby.
Paul Bayliss, leader of Derby City Council, acknowledged it was likely to have to find some money to support the project.
“We accept that we have to potentially invest in development of HS2 and the cost of this comes from all tax sources. Any funding contribution will be from the Council’s capital programme
“If the cost of the investment means we have a £145 million return and 1000s of jobs it’s a good use of resources no matter what the source.
Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, Councillor Jane Urquhart, added: "Our understanding is that the main costs of HS2 will be met by the Government but that local contributions would be considered.
“In our case through the Local Enterprise Partnership, to fund supporting infrastructure such as a link from Nottingham city centre to the HS2 station at Toton.”
However Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, seemed to be unaware that his taxpayers could also be expected to make a contribution.
“The only part of the HS2 scheme that will be subject to local contributions is the proposed station at Manchester Airport.
“No decision has been made on what form these contributions will take, but the Greater Manchester Combined Authority – not just Manchester – will bring forward a funding package when the picture is more clear."
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said local contributions would depend on local circumstances.
“This will be a collaborative approach and the Government is committed to securing a fair deal for the taxpayer, the cities and other interested parties.
“The timing of any local authority contributions to HS2 will depend on the local circumstances.”
#HS2ChuffOff #BeAHSED
The prospect of cities having to make a contribution was buried in the small print of one of the documents produced by the Department for Transport last week.
It had been thought the £32.7 billion needed to build the 351-mile network from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester would be funded by central government.
But the Command Paper setting out the project made clear that a contribution will be expected from “parties who would benefit directly from opportunities and development” of HS2.
Businesses and developers could also be expected to contribute financially under Government plans.
“It is fair and right that they work collaboratively with the Government on options to support the project financially. Depending on specific circumstances, this might involve the commitment of funds,” the paper adds.
The prospect of council taxpayers in some parts of the country horrified Martin Tett, the Tory leader of Buckinghamshire, who has spearheaded council opposition to the Government’s flagship scheme.
"I suspect a number of my colleagues will be surprised to learn that, buried deep within the proposal, the Department for Transport expects them and their Council Tax payers to help fund the £33bn cost of HS2.
“For many this will be a 'double whammy' as both Income and Council Tax payers,” he said.
The cities most likely to be asked to make a contribution are those with high speed stations, such as Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield and Derby.
Paul Bayliss, leader of Derby City Council, acknowledged it was likely to have to find some money to support the project.
“We accept that we have to potentially invest in development of HS2 and the cost of this comes from all tax sources. Any funding contribution will be from the Council’s capital programme
“If the cost of the investment means we have a £145 million return and 1000s of jobs it’s a good use of resources no matter what the source.
Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, Councillor Jane Urquhart, added: "Our understanding is that the main costs of HS2 will be met by the Government but that local contributions would be considered.
“In our case through the Local Enterprise Partnership, to fund supporting infrastructure such as a link from Nottingham city centre to the HS2 station at Toton.”
However Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, seemed to be unaware that his taxpayers could also be expected to make a contribution.
“The only part of the HS2 scheme that will be subject to local contributions is the proposed station at Manchester Airport.
“No decision has been made on what form these contributions will take, but the Greater Manchester Combined Authority – not just Manchester – will bring forward a funding package when the picture is more clear."
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said local contributions would depend on local circumstances.
“This will be a collaborative approach and the Government is committed to securing a fair deal for the taxpayer, the cities and other interested parties.
“The timing of any local authority contributions to HS2 will depend on the local circumstances.”
#HS2ChuffOff #BeAHSED
