Villagers are in an uproar after three residents sued their parish hall over a “noisy” stadium and skatepark, and were given an 86% raise to cover legal costs.
Local residents of the picturesque Derbyshire chapel-en-le-Fris are left to count the cost after failed councilors lost a legal battle over noise complaints from a children's sports field. .
7,243 residents have now been told the parish council's portion of council tax will be increased to cover legal costs in a “six-figure sum”, sparking outrage.
Local residents believe they were asked to cover the costs because the parish council did not have valid insurance and was left uninsured.
The controversy stems from the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), which was established at Memorial Park in 2010 after a fundraising campaign.
Shortly after Dr Mellen Jones, Stephen Covey-Crump and David Howe complained to the council about the noise coming from MUGA, caused by the sound of a soccer ball repeatedly hitting a metal surface.
They claimed MUGA breached planning guidelines because it was located just meters from the nearest home and submitted noise measurements to highlight the problem.
But the city council didn't respond, so the case went to court.
A judge initially ruled that the plaintiffs were “noise sensitive,” but a High Court judge overturned that ruling in November 2022.
Chapel Parish Council was then given an abatement order and given four months to resolve the noise problem by either closing the MUGA or relocating it in a park away from residential buildings.
They took no action and a further two-day trial at Manchester Magistrates' Court is due to be decided on its future in May, raising fears it will be demolished.
Meanwhile, parish council chiefs have told residents that from April 1, council tax will rise by 86% depending on property type, up to a maximum of £110 a year, to help pay for “six-figure” legal costs. They sent a letter warning that it would be reduced to pounds sterling.
The memo states: “Many residents will be aware that the Parish Council has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit relating to the nuisance caused to two neighboring households by public activities at Memorial Park.
“Further court hearing dates will be set in 2024. Regardless of the final outcome, the City Council will be responsible for paying the legal costs of both itself and the complainant.
“These will add up to a six-figure sum, but the amount will not be clear for some time yet.
“The Parish Council has worked hard to minimize the impact of litigation on residents and will continue to do so.
“We regret that city tax increases are still necessary, but thank you for your understanding in these unusual circumstances.”
Local residents are furious at the threat to MUGA's future and the incompetence of the parish council.
The residents who made the accusations are now very isolated.
Darren Kearns
More than 50 local residents attended the February rally, most of whom expressed anger that MUGA would be demolished to accommodate the wishes of just a few residents.
Darren Kearns, 36, told The Sun: “The residents who complained are now very isolated.”
Scott Hudson said online: “I don't mind paying for better villages, roads, youth clubs, etc., but paying court costs for something I had no part in is disgusting. We need it all.” , calling for the parish councilor's dismissal. You will be fired. “
Sam William, 37, a mother of four, said: “Council tax for the parish council has gone up by 86%. Council tax is high here anyway. It's all ridiculous.”
“My oldest son is almost 16 and they come to the park, but they don't have anywhere else to go.”
Her partner Richard Bramley, 38, added: “I think the parish council is incompetent.”
It would be a shame if it were removed.
paul johnson
Administrator Stephanie Johnson, 57, said: “It's ridiculous. I'm really surprised they filed a complaint.”
Her husband Paul Johnson, 60, an engineer, said: “I think the only people who are benefiting are the lawyers. They're going to get rich. It's ridiculous.”
“The kids don't want to leave. It's always well used and the kids often play soccer or stay there with their parents. It's good family time.
“It's also used by athletic groups. The people who use it aren't overly noisy. This is a recreational park. What do you expect? It would be a shame if it was removed.”
Dr. Jones declined to comment when contacted by The Sun.
The other complainant, Mr Howe, has since sold his house and moved out of the village.
Tom Hughes, 42, a gardener who bought the old house, said: “This is the most peaceful place I've ever lived in. I think what happened is ridiculous.”
“The windows are often open, so it's very quiet. We use that park every day.
“If they remove MUGA, it will be a crime.”
Emma Beswick, who launched a petition signed by more than 1,100 people to save MUGA, said its removal would have a devastating impact on the 1,847 children living in the area.
The 49-year-old mother of two said: She said: “My family has always loved playing in the park, in fact that was the main reason we moved here.
“MUGA was originally a tennis court but was developed as MUGA in collaboration with the police in response to anti-social behavior.
It would be an outrageous travesty for it to disappear.
Emma Beswick
“They wanted it on the same property as the tennis courts because they could drive by and watch it.
“My mother lived on the edge of the park near the Muga River for almost 10 years and never had any problems.
“She loved seeing people healthy and active. It would be an outrageous travesty to lose that.”
Susie Gloster, 83, who lives next door to Dr. Jones, said, “We don't have a lot of problems with flying balls or anything like that, but I think our neighbors do.''
Lawyer Paul Stokes, representing the applicant, said: “My client moved in before MUGA was built and the parish council knew from the beginning that MUGA was too close to housing.
“The only reason this matter went to court is because the parish council has failed to address this issue for several years.
Whatever the agreed amount is, we have to pay it during the financial year.
peter leppard
“They've known about the problems surrounding MUGA for a long time, but they didn't do anything about it. They could have addressed this problem years ago and it wouldn't have cost them anything.
“My clients never wanted to go to court, but what are they expected to do if the parish council doesn't listen to them?” Filing a lawsuit is always a last resort. If they had been keen on filing a lawsuit, they would have filed it years ago instead of waiting.
“We are aware that the council is blaming the court's action on tax increases. Local residents are asking the parish council to explain why it has come to this stage and why further court hearings are being held. We should really ask if this is a plan.”
High Peak councilor Robert Ragan said: “Chapel residents have been hit with a staggering 86% increase in council tax. “Any reasonable person would conclude that the parish council was totally incompetent. Yes, the residents have a right to answers.”
Chapel-en-le-Frice is located in the Peak District and is famous for its 18th-century church brow and traditional market place, featuring stocks and ancient crosses.
Lokum Parish Clerk Peter Leppard said: “The amount of the costs is still being negotiated between the parties and, as with all financial negotiations, we will not comment until we have an agreed outcome.” .
“But whatever the agreed amount is, we have to pay it during the financial year.
“That’s why we’ve increased the parish council’s share of residents’ total council tax to ensure they have enough funding to do so.”
How much will my council tax increase in a few weeks?
Written by Summer Lehmason
Millions of households will face paying extra council tax within weeks as the average bill is set to rise by 5%, or £106 a year.
A new interactive map shows the new council tax rates across the country.
But some households are facing price hikes of nearly 10% as the embattled Congress has been given permission to increase prices even further on the Essential Goods Bill.
The Sun's interactive map uses the latest data to reveal growth in your area.
Information was not available for some regions shown in gray.
The data shows the average property in Band D will increase by 5% a year to £2,171.
The national limit on how much council tax can be increased is set by the government each year and comes into force from April.
Each local government will then decide whether to raise the limit.
The amount you will be charged will depend on which council area your property falls into, with more expensive properties having to pay more council tax.
The annual increase in council tax was less than 1% between 2010 and 2015, rising to 5% for the first time in 2018/19.
Four councils – Thurrock, Woking, Slough and Birmingham – have been given special permission to increase their bills by up to 10%.
This could add £206.50 to the same annual bill.
People in Birmingham will face a soaring 9.3% bill as a 'bankrupt' local authority struggles to cope.
The average household will spend an extra £177.94 a year to support cash-strapped councils.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove has given Birmingham City Council the green light to increase taxes by up to a staggering 21% over the next two years.
Elsewhere in the country, people in Slough are set to see a 7.9% surge from next month.
