Westbury residents will see a rise in their council tax due to increased costs and additional responsibilities after the town council approved its budget.
On Monday, 6th January, Westbury Town Council approved its budget (precept) for the 2025–26 financial year, resulting in a rise in council tax for local residents. The council said the decision reflects its need to balance increasing demands for services, inflationary pressures, and additional responsibilities passed down from Wiltshire Council.
The increase for the average band D property will be £3.68 per month or 85p per week more. Households in lower bands (A to C) will see smaller increases, while those in higher bands (E to H) will experience larger ones.
A combination of factors has “contributed to an unavoidable increase in the precept,” the council said. Among the factors were “the increase in demand for the town council’s services, inflationary pressures and external factors such as the rise in the minimum wage and national insurance contributions (adding £19,000 to costs), along with an increase in responsibilities as Wiltshire Council passes services to the town council under asset transfer and devolution.”
“Furthermore, Wiltshire Council’s decision to transfer many properties from Westbury to Heywood, resisted by the town council, has resulted in a significant drop in income for Westbury Town Council, further increasing the pressures on our budgets.”
Mayor Cllr Jane Russ said, “We’ve worked hard to minimise the impact in Westbury and hope that the residents of the town will understand that.”
The precept is the primary funding source for Westbury Town Council. It supports essential services, staff, and the resources needed to operate efficiently. It is collected by Wiltshire Council and forms a small part of the overall council tax bill.
The town council added, “It’s important to note that payments to Wiltshire Council include charges for other services, such as the police and fire services; these increases are set independently.”
Pictured: The Laverton, home of the town council
