Bracknell Town Council precept increase held to 3% through careful budgeting
23rd February 2023 Posted in Council News
Introducing the budget for 2023/24 for Bracknell Town Council, the leader of the council, Cllr Chris Turrell, said:
“This year, more than ever, it is important that our budget is sound and that our finances are managed responsibly, and that is what this budget achieves.
“We benefit from having negotiated energy costs fixed until next year, and from our well-established policy of putting away funds year by year, clearly earmarking them for known high-cost items – such as AstroTurf pitches – and elections.
“This budget allows us to continue our important rolling programme of maintenance and improvement of our sports pitches, parks and play areas.
“We will continue to give grants to local organisations, and to maintain our financial support for South Hill Park.
“Separately, we are offering a small grants scheme to help residents celebrate the King’s coronation, a first-in-a-lifetime event for nearly all of us.
“Good budgeting has enabled us to cope with the local government pay increase. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their hard work in another busy year.
“I come back to this point on responsible financial control. Without it, it would simply not be possible to do all the things this Council does to help our residents, and it is notable that you do not have to go far from here to find poor management of local government finance and its dire consequences for residents.
“At a time of 10.1% inflation, the increase in our fees and charges is held to 5% or less, and that of our precept at Band D to 3%, giving a figure of £97.35, or just under £1.95 per week.”
The budget was approved by the Council.