2024/25 Town Council Budget Setting Consultation
The Town Council is in the process of developing its Revenue and Capital Budget for the 2024/25 financial year.
Clearly, the budget that we set is important to our local community, both in terms of how our spending plans may impact on the provision of services and investment in assets for the benefit of the town, and in terms of the level of Council Tax that we need to raise from local taxpayers in order to fund these plans.
In overall terms, the Council is proposing a 2024/25 Revenue Budget that protects and maintains all of our current services, facilities and events next year.
The Council is also aiming to maintain some surplus resources in the budget which will allow it to replenish its balances and reserves. This will help ensure that we can continue to make capital investment in valued community assets such as cemeteries, allotments, parks and play areas, for the benefit of the community, in the coming years.
In order to do so, the Council is proposing that it raises the core Town Council proportion of the Council Tax bill by around £4.85 (2.65%) next year for the vast majority of local taxpayers i.e. those living in Band A properties.
However, as a direct consequence of the cut in Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme Grant funding being imposed by Durham County Council, the proposed increase will regrettably need to rise to around £8.00 (4.38%).
The core Council Tax increase being proposed is significantly below the current rate of inflation and, as a result of the Council’s ongoing efforts to cut costs, increase income and deliver value for money services.
We hope you will agree that a monthly increase of £0.40 in the core Town Council element of the Council Tax bill, increasing to £0.67 as a result in Durham County Council grant cut, is a small price to pay to ensure that all the existing services provided by the Town Council can be protected for another year.
There is more information on the Council’s draft 2024/25 budget proposals, should you wish to read this, on the meetings section of the Council’s website.
Have Your Say
The Town Council completely understands the financial problems and worries people are continuing to face at this time and has worked hard to restrict the required increase to the Town Council Tax next year, balanced against the need to protect the future financial viability of the Council and continuing to provide all of the services, facilities and events valued by the community.
In light of the continuing difficult times, it is important that the Town Council hears your thoughts and feelings on the priorities we need to focus on in the Town Council budget for 2024/25.
Our annual Budget Survey is your opportunity to tell us what you think. You can access the survey via this link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/AVDU8G/
The survey is also available in paper form at various community facilities around the town including the Oak Leaf Sports and Golf Complexes, the Town Council Offices and via our website at www.great-aycliffe.gov.uk or on our social media pages. The survey will close at 12 noon on Sunday 31st December.