Whitchurch Council Tax base 2015/16

At Monday night’s Extra-ordinary Full Council Meeting, Councillors voted on a proposed increase on the amount of local tax residents will have to pay in the coming year. In short, the tax charge for a Band D property will rise from £40.62 a year to £53.91 a year (or £1.11 per month).

There are a number of reasons for the increase and they include rising maintenance costs of street furniture, play areas, trees and footpaths. Also the Council took the opportunity to match fund a Hampshire County Council grant for commemorating the Great War last year and chose to commission a unique textile art installation which will later this year be displayed in the Town Hall.

Other costs included unforeseen repairs to the Town Hall, following the refurbishment of the ground floor offices and an increase in staff costs mainly due to the more accessible premises and the numbers of residents using the Town Council services.

In the past few years any shortfall in the Town Council’s budget has been met from its Contingency Fund, but the Council’s auditor has recommended that this fund is not used next year, as it is at or below a safe level to ensure all the Council’s services can be maintained to their present standard.

Chairman of the Council, Cllr Mike Kean said:

Mounting work levels due to cuts to local government budgets, is putting the demand for more services to be provided locally. In the past few years the Council has funded a considerable amount of local activities that are no longer sustainable without a rise in the Precept. I still believe that the Town Council provides an excellent service to the people of Whitchurch and we look forward to continuing to play an active role in improving our Town for everyone.