Parish Council Sets Budget for the Coming Year

Holmes Chapel Parish Council has agreed its budget for the forthcoming financial year, with a small increase to the parish precept in order to maintain essential local services, respond to changing responsibilities within the village and continue to organise events such as the Summer Celebration weekend.

Over recent years, parish/town councils across England have increasingly been required to take on duties that were previously delivered by principal local authorities. As those authorities continue to reduce the level of routine maintenance they are able to provide, the Parish Council has stepped in to ensure that key areas of the village remain tidy and welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

The approved budget allows the Parish Council to continue funding essential services that residents rely on, while including provision for additional maintenance work across the village, reflecting the reduced level of support now available from the local authority.

Councillors were keen to strike a balance between keeping costs under control for residents while ensuring that standards within the village do not decline. The agreed precept increase will be 55p per month for a band D property, taking the cost to £101.16 for the year. This will allow the Council to continue to meet its responsibilities.

The budget also includes a contribution to the Parish Council’s Capital Improvements Fund. This fund is used to support larger, long term projects that enhance the village, and improve our community facilities.  Last year it was used to fund the extension of the Christmas lights, renovations to the Community Centre flat roofs, restoration of the Croco path and more. Next year, it is hoped we can make play area and pathway improvements as well as other improvements to the village.

The full budget can be viewed on this website, in the finance section.