Councillors have been working hard scrutinising the spending of the Town Council as part of the setting of the budget for 2025/26. They had the very challenging task of trying to invest in and support the community whilst ensuring there is enough money in the budget to enable the public, staff, buildings, cemetery, allotment sites, play areas, car parks, open spaces, equipment, and all the other assets are looked after and safe, and that the Council complies with legislation whilst being mindful of the cost of living and inflation on Council services, contracts, and materials, and on residents and businesses.
The precept is the Town Council part of the Council Tax that is collected by Stroud District Council. It is calculated as part of the Town Council’s budget and fills the gap between the Town Council’s planned expenditure and its estimated income. The Town Council has very little income opportunities and does not receive any direct funding from central government, or a subsidy from Gloucestershire County Council or Stroud District Council, and therefore the precept is an essential part of the Town Council’s income.
This year there was an increase on the precept for 2025/26 which, for a Band D rated property is 23p per week which will be invoiced at £245.97, this will be shown as a 5.06% increase on the Council Tax invoice for next year (this will be less for Band A to C properties).
The Town Council does not have large reserves like some Councils, and it must keep reserves to deal with emergencies, and to build reserves for community projects. Unlike some other towns, Wotton does not have major housing developments, and therefore there is little offsetting of the council tax resulting from them.
The Council considered the major projects that are being carried out and completed including the review and awarding of the youth services contracts for the town; the new car park off Symn Lane; the major repairs of the Town Hall and Chipping Hall Grade 2 listed buildings; the new build of the Old Town Toilets; the refurbishment of the Symn Lane play area; tree works following the major tree survey; and the improvement of the main paths and fencing in the allotments which were identified as a safety priority in the annual tenants meeting.
The Town Council is classed as a large Council due to the number of buildings and open spaces it manages. These must be maintained to a standard to ensure their safe use by the public and staff, to protect these valuable assets, and to ensure that more expensive costs are not stored up for the future.
The assets the Town Councils manages include:
Allotment sites at New Road and Knapp Road – the fencing and the paths and boundaries need some major works which, in consultation with tenants, will be carried out in 2025/26
Cemetery and churchyards – a health and safety audit has actioned a large amount of ongoing work to be carried out; the trees, hedges, and fencing need ongoing maintenance; the grass requires regular mowing.
Civic Centre car park – the site is managed and maintained. The site is monitored for abandoned vehicles which the Town Council has to manage and pay for removal.
Symn Lane play area – annually inspected by Health & Safety specialists, play area checks carried out by staff daily. The play area will have a refurbishment to improve inclusion and accessibility with better paths and new equipment. The grass requires regular mowing, hedges trimmed, and litter removed. Anti-social behaviour is monitored and managed in conjunction with the Police and other organisations, and damaged equipment and property have to be repaired or replaced.
Open Spaces including Holywell Leaze picnic area, Marchesi and Streamside Walk and the stream, Conygre Woods, Wotton Hill Clump, are all maintained and managed as part of Management Plans. The grass requires regularly mowing, litter and obstructions removed, and damages repaired. The stream is monitored for sewerage outflows and for other pollution, blockages, and litter removal to ensure the protection of the White Clawed Crayfish and other protected wildlife.
Numerous flower beds, planters, and borders require maintenance including planting, watering, mowing, and litter removal.
Winter maintenance including audit of grit bins, ordering grit and salt for bins, snow clearance, and salt spreading; there are also flood warden duties.
Trees on Town Council land are regularly surveyed, a full survey has been completed and a tree management plan and priority works for 2025/26 is in place, the trees are managed and maintained including damage resulting from storms and inclement weather.
CCTV system requires regular updating to ensure it can be used as evidence in court and insurance cases. The Town Council works closely with the Police.
Repair and maintenance, and replacement where necessary, of benches, noticeboards, bus shelters, defibrillators. The Tolsey Clock mechanism and structure will have Phase 2 of its makeover in 2025/26.
The Town Council manages and maintains the following buildings:
Town Hall (Grade II listed) and Chipping Hall (Grade II listed) on behalf of the Town Trust – extensive works to be carried out in 2025/26. A heritage specialist company has carried out structural and aerial surveys and applied for planning permission. Procurement for the major works to be implemented in 2025/26.
Heritage Centre, Youth Centre, Chipping Club Room on behalf of the Town Trust – building surveys to be carried out, new heating system for the Heritage Centre, regular maintenance and repairs, most of which require subsidy from the Town Council.
Civic Centre and Workshop – building surveys to be carried out, regular repairs and maintenance. A new storage unit is to be purchased and installed in 2025/26.
Symn Lane Car Park – subject to planning agreement. Working with a car park specialist company, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, and the developer on maximising the spaces for cars and coaches and ensuring the car park is fit for purpose and meets construction standards. Installing CCTV, grit bins, rubbish bins, noticeboard, lighting, and landscaping. The car park will not be pay and display and will be free to use.
Old Town Toilets – building regulations have changed. Working with a toilet specialist company on a newbuild and anti-social behaviour prevention. Procurement process for project management and works to be implemented in 2025/26.
Festive lighting – year-round. Working with specialist lighting companies and property owners on installing electrical power supply and festive lighting for the town.
Town Council van, equipment, machinery – to be maintained, repaired, and replaced as required.
Christmas tree – provision, installation, and lighting, at the Tabernacle
Youth Service contract – Contract with Play Gloucestershire has been awarded for 2025/26 to provide outdoor play activities at Synwell Playing Fields. Further work being negotiated on a youth services contract to include indoor and outreach youth work and activities.
Climate Change Action Plan – the Council is working through the actions to include decarbonisation of its buildings, developing a Biodiversity Action Plan for Wotton under Edge.
Town Regeneration – Bolster Wotton’s High Street project working with local businesses and the District Chamber of Trade, developing the visitor economy to support businesses, holding events such as Christmas, Summer, VE Day, Remembrance Parade amongst other events
Renewal of leases for the Heritage Centre, Wotton Pool, and Under The Edge Arts
Grants and contributions agreed for the following:
• Wotton Swimming Pool £33,000 for maintenance;
• Heritage Centre towards running costs;
• Wotton in Bloom towards the hanging baskets;
• Wotton Library towards running costs;
• Synwell Playing Fields Association towards play equipment;
• The Keepers towards the food freezer and pantry;
• Glos Breastfeeding Supporters Network;
• Wotton Community Sports Foundation towards repairs of the skate park;
- Christmas Under The Edge;
Great Western Air Ambulance towards running the service;
• Cobalt Health towards running the service and equipment;
• Tabernacle Church towards grass cutting;
• Citizen Advice Bureau towards providing free advice and support in Wotton; - KLB Friends for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities equipment
- Wotton Pride Summer festival
Free use of Council facilities for community enjoyment and fundraising by local community groups e.g. Council staff look after the hire of the buildings on behalf on the Town Council and the Town Trust which includes the hire of the Town Hall for community groups running community events, and Town Hall Teas which have the use of the Town Hall for free, so running costs, for example energy, cleaning etc, are already paid for therefore the organisations can keep all funds/donations taken;
Administration and delivery of services of the Town Council – the demands on the Town Council from central government, County and District Councils, and the public, has significantly increased. Annual health and safety inspections must be implemented, and actions taken to ensure public and staff safety.
The Town Council is a consultee on local planning applications. It is not responsible for the public highways or street cleaning, but the Council continues to report and to lobby Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council on matters that are important to the community.
The agreed Town Council’s budget including precept for 2025/26: Budget 2025/26
