Issue 453 – Average households will not pay an increase on the Town Council precept

WESTBURY Town Council has passed a budget which means the average household in the town will not pay an increase on their town council precept this year.

At a town council meeting on Monday 4th January the council approved a proposed budget for 2010’s financial year which retains the band D precept at £67.07.
Because of the council tax banding system the budget means that bands higher than D will pay a small increase on the precept, and bands below will pay a little less. The council has managed to avoid an increase in the precept by making savings in their budget, but the services they provide and events they fund will not be affected.
One example of the savings made is that the new unitary Wiltshire Council will now foot the bill for by-elections in the district, meaning that the town council has removed £5,000 that had previously been budgeted.
Cllr Stephen Andrews, chair of the general purposes committee which drew up the proposed budget said, “I think it’s good news bearing in mind other towns are going to put up their precept. We are one of the few that aren’t. Also Wiltshire Council may well be putting theirs up.
“For us to keep the rise [for Band D homes] to zero whilst maintaining services and shows, is very positive. It’s good we’ve been able to keep it down.”
The town council precept, which forms part of the council tax bill, funds Westbury Town Council’s administrative staff, the upkeep of the Laverton building and town council projects such as the bi-annual Street Fair and the Christmas programme of events.
Westbury Mayor cllr Sue Ezra said, “I hope people will be pleased that we have held the precept with no cuts to services. We will have the same yearly calendar of events, we will be doing the same things we always do. I hope it makes a difference.”
The budget will come into effect on April 31st at the start of the 2010 financial year.