Slight decrease agreed for Exmouth’s 2022/23 precept

Exmouth Town Councillors have unanimously approved a budget for the year April 2022 – March 2023 and an associated precept of £773,025 (the amount of money the Council will need to fulfill that budget).

Every year, the Town Council draws up its budget and calculates how much money it needs for the next Financial Year. This is formally agreed at its January Council meeting – this year on January 10th – and then submitted to East Devon District Council (EDDC). EDDC adds together its own demands with those of the County Council, the Police, Fire and Rescue Service and the Town Council to establish an overall Council Tax rate to be paid by Exmouth residents from 1st April of that year. For residents in a Band D property, Exmouth Town Council is asking for £56.00 per annum. Compared to 2021/22, this equates to a reduction of £1.14 per annum for the tax year 2022/23.

During the budget discussions, Councillors agreed to fund a new Climate and Ecological Emergency Officer and a new Project Officer, whose work will include searching and applying for grant funding for the Town’s priorities to be met, including those in the Neighbourhood Plan that was endorsed by townspeople in a referendum.

Councillors also reiterated their commitment to funding the new Beach Wheelchair project, which is due to launch in the Spring 2022 and agreed to continue its financial support for Tourist Information and for Exmouth Festival.

2022 is a very special year when we celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of public service. Councillors resolved to celebrate this and in particular the Platinum Jubilee Weekend from 2nd to 5th June. Watch out for further news of this.

As well as its statutory responsibilities as the local tier of Local Authority for the Town, the Town Council is also responsible for Allotments, Gorfin Hall, the Jubilee Clock Tower, the seafront festoon lights, flag poles, bus shelters, Christmas lights and for grounds maintenance / seasonal planting across all five wards. The precept is therefore an essential part of the Town Council’s funding, without which it could not maintain a service that effectively and efficiently responds to the needs of our community.

Councillor Steve Gazzard, Chairman of Exmouth Town Council said: “The budget set by the Council will enable us to continue to work for the benefit of the community. Exmouth Town Council is committed to improving our service to the Town through good financial management and planning, which is particularly important as a time when people’s personal and family budgets are being squeezed like never before.”

For further information, please email townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk.

Updated: 14 February 2022