Witney Town Council has agreed to increase its precept for the coming year, which will see residents pay an extra 85 pence a month for services. In real terms, the Town Council’s council tax portion has gone down since 2022 because inflation since the precept was last raised has been 20%.^[1]

Councillors debated the budget proposals for the 2024/25 financial year, before agreeing to a 6.1% per cent increase to the precept at the Council meeting on Monday 8th January 2024. This means that from April the average Band D property will pay £177.00 a year for services, an extra £10.17 than last year.

The precept is the main source of income the Town Council gets and is just 7% of the total council tax bill paid by residents. The precept is used to deliver, maintain and enhance local services including community grants such as for youth work, early years, mental health drop-in; events such as Christmas lights, Remembrance and the Music Festival; parks and play areas, sports pitches, wheeled sports park, our public halls, the Corn Exchange, the lake and country park, cemeteries, street furniture and allotments.

The precept ensures that although the Council needs to charge fees for some services these are kept as low and affordable as possible for everyone.

The Town Council has a duty to demonstrate sound financial management and responsible governance and will continue to reinvest in its services and meet the expectations and aspirations of its residents by maximising the benefits from the precept.

Cllr Ruth Smith, Leader of Witney Town Council said:

“I am immensely proud of our councillors and staff team for having the finances in such good shape, with ambitious plans for Witney’s facilities. Witney residents will see the impact of the precept – with investment in new sports and cafe at the Leys, at the West Witney Sports and Social Clubhouse, with enhancements at the Lake and Country Park, our youth services and the continued growth of the Corn Exchange as an arts centre and hub.

Cllr Smith was keen to stress that,

“Witney’s facilities serve an area far larger than Witney itself and we embrace the role Witney plays in West Oxfordshire. With inflation so high throughout 2023, when the precept was frozen, we do need to raise it this year to cover costs and continue to offer great services, that inspire, exercise and serve our community. “

[1] Based on the increase in the Retail Prices Index from November 2021 to November 2023, the last full two years which are available.