Modest increase in budget for Town Council

At the Council’s annual budget meeting on Monday 9th January, Exmouth Town councillors voted to approve the budget and associated precept demand for 2023/24.

The precept demand goes to the billing authority, East Devon District Council, which then collects the tax for the Town Council. The ‘Precept’ is converted into an amount per Council Tax band which is added onto residents’ Council Tax bills, 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 £761,125 has been agreed for Exmouth Town Council, which represents an increase of £28,100 compared to last year. Based on the current Council ‘tax base’, Band D householders will therefore have to contribute £58.37 towards the Town Council’s costs, compared with £57.14 last year.

The average Band D Council Tax charge set by Town and Parish Councils across the country was £74.81 in 2022/23.

The Town Council’s budget covers services such as CCTV, 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, Exmouth Festival, the beach wheelchair service, the Jubilee Clock Tower and Gorfin Hall.

The Town Council will continue to offer grants to community groups totalling £64,000 in 2023/24. These grants support local not-for-profit organisations to provide vital services to the community and more details on how to apply can be found on the Council’s website.

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

Councillor Alex Sadiq, the Deputy Chairman of the Council, says “Being conscious of the difficulties for many residents at this time, the Council has thoroughly reviewed its expenditure to keep the precept increase to a minimum. We are confident the people of Exmouth continue to get good value from the Town Council.”

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