Following a comprehensive budget review, St Andrews Parish Council has announced a necessary increase in its portion of the Council Tax to continue the delivery of essential local services and address the rising costs of its operations.

The budget review process involved an in-depth analysis of the council's financial obligations, revenue streams, and the growing cost of delivering local services. As a result, the parish precept for the coming financial year has been set at £767,585 compared with £699,100 in the previous year.

The increase will amount to an additional £9.32 per Band D household across the year, equivalent to 18 pence per week. This is one small part of a household’s overall Council Tax bill, with the rest set by Swindon Borough Council.

Commenting on the decision, Council Chair Jake Chandler said: "I am pleased to report back to residents that St Andrews Parish Council continues to have the lowest precept of any Parish in the north of Swindon, and one of the lowest overall. Our commitment to providing local services to a high-standard and at value for money, was a consistent consideration in arriving at this budget. I would like to assure residents that the budget for this coming financial year was scrutinised properly, in light of additional cost burdens place on us for delivering services, including from Central Government and the Local Authority. While increases to our precept are not desired, this increase is necessary and kept to the minimum amount possible, along with budgetary savings to ensure the Council continues to deliver for residents."

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

For further information, please contact:
Emma Sylvester, Chief Executive Officer – 07900 631 733, [email protected]