Special Expenses Charge

People ask us what the "special expenses charge" is on their Council Tax bill. The previous Northampton Borough Council introduced this some years ago. It is now charged by West Northamptonshire Council for grass cutting of parks, open spaces and the cemetery.

Special expenses charge helps to pay for cutting the grass at Aquitaine Close, Beaune Close, Bramhall Rise, Brockwood Close, Cheddar Close, Clipston Way, Duston Cemetery, Duston Wildes "Quarry", Errington Park, Grafton Way, Hardlands Road, Kenilworth Close, Melbourne Lane Open Space, Mendip Road, Newton Road, Rochelle Way, Sandy Lane Open Space, The Green Weggs Farm Road, Triumph Gardens & Westbury Close.

It means each parish within the former borough of Northampton pays for grass cutting in their own area. Through special expenses East Hunsbury pay for grass cutting in their local parks, Billing pays for theirs and so on.

Only large parks over 40 acres (e.g Abington Park & Racecourse) are paid exclusively from general Council Tax.