WHY do ratepayers in Hook pay more towards the upkeep of their village than any other parish in Hart?

That’s the question posed by pensioner Ted Hare, who wants Hook Parish Council to lower its precept and scrutinise its spending.

The 72-year-old, of Oak Hanger Close, wrote a letter to the parish council in advance of the annual village meeting, which will take place in the Elizabeth Hall on Wednesday, April 24.

A ratepayer in Hook with a Band D household pays £96.94 towards the parish council – the highest charge for all of the 21 parish councils in the Hart District Council area.

The bill forms of a small part of the overall council tax bill and is spent on the upkeep of buildings and play areas in the village and putting on events.

The total bill for a band D house in Hook is £1,499.29 including precepts from Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Fire Authority and the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Hare’s letter contains eight questions about the parish council budget. The former engineer said: “I looked at the annual report and I thought they seemed to be very profligate.

“They seem to have no regard for the ratepayers. Everybody else is showing restraint this year and attempting to minimise costs to ratepayers, whereas Hook seems to be spending as much as it can.”

He was also critical of the plan to redevelop Hook Community Centre, in Ravenscroft, which has an estimated cost of £1.2million, just 25 years after it was built.

The precept for Hook Parish Council rose by 4.2 per cent this year, which was a higher increase than most parishes but significantly lower than Odiham and Rotherwick.

Hook Parish Council clerk Anne Atkins said she had spoken already to Mr Hare, but a response would be made at the meeting.