WESTBURY Town Council has issued a response to help explain why the town council precept, the amount of your council tax that goes to the local authority, has risen by 27%. The town council say that the rise for band D households will work out at roughly £4 extra a month.
The town council has also issued an apology for an error in their ‘Spotlight on Finance’ in the last issue of the White Horse News, which may have added to residents’ confusion. They said that reported the increase in the precept for a band D property was 9p per week- this should have read 92p per week.
The Westbury Town Council statement reads, “The town council carefully considered the precept requirement for 2022-23 and made the difficult decision to increase the precept. While this is displayed on the council tax bill as 27%, the actual increase is £4 per month per band D property, and for those residents who live in a lower band (A-C), the contribution to the town council will be less than that.
“Although the town council has reduced its day-to-day spending wherever possible, there are significant pressures that require both action and funding. Like all homeowners, the town council is seeing the impact of inflation and recognise that there are real challenges ahead in balancing the budgets, reducing the impact on families, while meeting the town council’s commitment to provide services and assets.
What your money is being spent on.
“The town council is dedicated to delivering a number of projects to support and improve Westbury. Examples of this include improvements to the play areas and public toilets, taking on the ownership and management of Vivash Park, enhancements to the town centre, meeting carbon reduction targets, an increased number of events such as the Chilli Festival and a weekly market to increase visitors and footfall in the town, and an improved and updated CCTV system to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The town council continues to pay for two hours’ free car parking in the town centre car parks, this is to support the local businesses, public and to help encourage a vibrant town centre, it is exciting to see so many new shops opening.
“The town council has also put aside a one-off £70,000 to fight the Northacre incinerator planning application, this was following a robust campaign by the public. You may also be aware that Wiltshire Council is cutting the Community Area Transport Group budget and will be looking for an increased contribution from the town council for necessary highway works, such as double yellow lines, dropped kerbs and other highway safety initiatives. In response, the council has set aside £50,000 to enable important and appropriate highway works to continue. As the town council takes on more responsibility, it requires more staff to carry out the work, as a result of which recently the town council advertised locally for four new positions.
What the town council is doing to offset expenditure:
“The town council is working hard to maximise its investments and sponsorship opportunities. The Soapbox derby taking place in May this year is almost entirely funded through local sponsors. It is hoped the Soapbox will help to put Westbury on the map, encouraging visitors from far afield, but also working closely with schools and local business to promote the high-tech organisations we have in Westbury and increase access for our children to science and maths-based opportunities. The town council continues to apply for grant funding wherever we can for appropriate projects, to offset the expenditure.
“There is a great deal of information on the town council’s website about the services it provides and the difference it is making. Please see www.westburytowncouncil.gov.uk
Have your say:
“There will be a meeting of the town taking place on Monday 25th April 2022 at 19.00 here at the Laverton, where members of the public are invited to ask questions of the chair of the council, provided they are a Westbury resident and recorded on the electoral register. This is a good opportunity for the public to raise issues directly with the councillors who make these decisions.”
