Budget agreed to address concerns raised by residents

In its first budget for Witney, the new Town Council administration agreed to address concerns raised by residents, and invest in sports facilities, public halls, youth services and the community bus, as well as committing to address the climate emergency acknowledged as one of the Council’s first acts.
The precept (council tax) charged by Witney Town Council will rise in April by just over a pound a month for the average home as a result of a budget set last night. This will provide a sound basis for future planning, and in particular:
• a fund for youth services across the town, to plug the gap left by the closure of Base 33 and the lack of youth clubs;
• seed funding for environmental projects to move towards our ambition of net zero carbon Witney by 2028;
• adequate provision of good quality sports pitches including cricket and football for our growing town;
• enough funds to take the next steps in renewing Corn Exchange, improving Burwell Hall, and refurbishing the Town Hall
Rosa Bolger, Leader of the Town Council, said:
“After years of cuts, council services in Witney need investment, but we have been careful to keep our share of resident’s council tax, less than 8% of the total bill, affordable. This budget will allow us to meet the immediate needs of our town while keeping bills at a sensible level.
We are committed to work on our halls and green spaces, as well as important community projects like youth services, with a constant focus on climate action. By acting now we are investing for the future.”
ENDS