Following lengthy discussions with all councillors and taking on board residents’ feedback from the Public Budget Meeting held last October, after much consideration, Shaftesbury Town Council has resolved to increase the Shaftesbury element of the Council Tax from 1st April 2024 by 13p per week per household.
All households will therefore see the Shaftesbury element of their council tax (precept) contribution rise by 3.9%. For example, the annual cost for a Band D Shaftesbury property will rise from £169.15 to £175.75, an increase of £6.60 per annum.
Cllr Virginia Edwyn-Jones, Chair and Mayor of the Town Council, commented: “While we understand that any increase in Council Tax bills, especially given the current economic climate, will not be welcomed, we would like to reassure residents that we have arrived at this decision after careful consideration and mindful of the need to continue providing a high level of service.
“It is important to remember that we have only increased the precept once since 2018/19, meaning that the Town Council has absorbed any and all price increases during those five years. Unfortunately, the Council is not immune to the rising costs that everyone is experiencing, so it is sadly no longer sustainable for us to do this.
“The increase in precept will enable us to carry out essential maintenance to our treasured assets, such as the Lido and our parks and open spaces, and continue supporting integral health and wellbeing initiatives, such as Shaftesbury Wellness.
“Due to the growth of the town, STC will be increasing its number of councillors from 12 to 15 in 2024, so additional budget will be needed for resources and training to ensure that we are in the best place to meet the needs of our expanding community.”
The budget has been developed based on information gathered from the budget workshops, the Strategic Plan and Work Programme, plus projects that have already been resolved upon.
The precept ensures that the Town Council can continue its ‘business as usual’ functions at current level services, fund service enhancements and carry out committed asset maintenance and improvement.