Councillors have been working hard scrutinising the spending of the Town Council as part of the setting of the budget for 2026/27. 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 2026/27 which, for a Band D rated property is 47p per week which will be invoiced at £270.33, this will be shown as a 9.9% 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 precept increase has provided investment for:
New Youth Service Provision: A new youth service including outdoor Play Ranger activities at Synwell Playing Fields; a drop-in Youth Café and indoor activities including learning skills such as cooking, writing CVs, arts in the old Youth Centre on the Chipping, plus community outreach work. The youth service providers will work in partnership with schools, other youth organisations, churches, The Keepers, and community groups to provide quality support and activities to families and young people.
CCTV: The increase has also provided for an upgrade of the town’s CCTV to protect the town residents, visitors, and businesses plus also be used for Police operations.
Biodiversity: the Council has legal obligations for biodiversity. This budget will help increase the biodiversity of Wotton in partnership with residents, schools, and community groups.
Community Grants: the Council helps facilitate improvement in leisure activities and community support through providing grants to organisations including Wotton Pool, the Heritage Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau, Synwell Playing Fields Association, Inspire Therapy CIC, Longfield Hospice, Christmas Under The Edge, KLB Friends, Wotton Community Interest Group (Pride and Long Street Summer Social events), Transition Stroud, Great Western Air Ambulance, Cobalt Health, Tabernacle Church grounds maintenance, Wotton In Bloom hanging baskets, Wotton Library, and the free use of its buildings for community events such as Town Hall Teas.
Town Hall and Chipping Hall: Major repairs and refurbishment of these Grade II listed buildings
Allotments: Replacement boundary fencing for Knapp Road site
Symn Lane Play Area: Phase 2 refurbishment including replacement of equipment
Symn Lane Car Park: Completion and management of the new car park
Town Council: the budget also make provision for the looking after and improving its assets and services including the Civic Centre, Council van and workshop, Town Hall, Chipping Hall, Heritage Centre, Chipping Club Room, Youth Centre and Services, Symn Lane Play Area, Cemetery, Conygre Woods, Wotton Hill Clump, Car Parks, Old Town Toilets rebuild, St Mary’s Church Burial Ground, Holywell Leaze, Marchesi Walk and Streamside Stream, Knapp Road and New Road Allotments, CCTV, defibrillators, the Tolsey Clock, Festive lighting and Christmas trees, plus management of various open spaces including trees, flower beds and planters, grass areas, bus shelters, noticeboards, benches, and other street furniture.
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.
Further details on the 2026/27 budget: Copy-of-Budget-2026-27-for-website.pdf