Parish councils in Swindon depend on an annual payment known as the precept, provided by Swindon Borough Council. For St Andrews Parish Council, this allocation constitutes a significant portion of our overall income. The precept represents the specific amount of council tax requested from the borough council, that the parish council believes it will need to spend on projects and the grounds maintenance of the parish. St Andrews Parish Council has submitted our precept request to Swindon Borough Council for 2024-25 after a long and careful budgeting process.

St Andrews Parish Council's overall precept request is £539,012 for 2024/25. For a typical home in Band D, this adds up to £74.92 per year or £1.44 per week. This is an annual increase of £11.20 equating to a 17.57% increase, just an extra 22 pence per week.

The primary objectives for this increase include replacing outdated play equipment, ensuring the ongoing repair and maintenance of all play areas, and establishing a new parish office for staff. The proposed office will not only serve as a functional workspace but will also feature a welcoming meeting room dedicated to parish council activities. Additionally, the increased precept aims to sustain a high standard of grounds maintenance service, demonstrating the council's commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for the community.

Cllr Vera Tomlinson speaking on behalf of the Parish Council said “We understand that any increase in precept can impact on households, who are currently finding life difficult in this current economic climate, and we want to assure you that these decisions were made with careful consideration. As always, St Andrews Parish enjoys one of the lowest precepts in Swindon but still gives the highest service to maintain our parish open spaces and play areas”.

For further information, please contact:
Cllr Vera Tomlinson, Chairman 01793 703751
Emma Sylvester, Parish Clerk 07900 631733, clerk@standrews-pc.gov.uk