Exmouth Council is beginning 2021 with reassuring news for taxpayers.

At the Council’s annual budget meeting on Monday 11th January, Exmouth Town councillors voted to approve the budget and a precept demand for 2020/21.

The precept is the Town Council’s share of the Council Tax. The precept demand goes to the billing authority, East Devon District Council, which collects the tax for the Town Council. The ‘Precept’ is converted into an amount per Council Tax band that is added onto the Council Tax bill, along with charges levied on behalf of the District and County Councils, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Police and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority.

A precept of £730,345 has been agreed for Exmouth Town Council, which (despite increased pressures as a result of Covid-19 and some costs being passed on from higher-tier authorities) represents a decrease of £40,000 compared to last year. Based on the current Council ‘tax base’, Band D householders will therefore have to contribute £57.14 towards the Town Council’s costs, compared with £59.67 last year.

The average Band D Council Tax charge for Town and Parish Councils in East Devon was £70.81 in 2020/21.

The Town Council’s budget covers services such as grounds maintenance, grass cutting and maintenance of public realm assets as well as officers’ salaries, building / administration costs and a contribution towards the running costs of the 99E bus service. The Town Council is also responsible for the delivery of the Tourist Information Service, the Jubilee Clock Tower and Gorfin Hall.

The Town Council will continue to offer grants to community groups totalling £54,000 in 2021/22. These grants support local not-for-profit organisations to provide vital services to the community.

Despite the reduction in its budget, the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Steve Gazzard, says that the Town Council’s budget “demonstrates continuing financial prudence and a commitment to the residents of Exmouth that the Town Council will use its precepting powers appropriately.”

Councillor Alex Sadiq, Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee, says “We are pleased that whilst we have recognised the strain that many household budgets are under, we can continue to deliver value to the people of Exmouth

If you require any further information on the Town Council budget for 2021/22 please contact Lisa Bowman, the Town Clerk on 01395 276167 or by email at townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk