11th January 2019
Slight increase agreed for Exmouth’s 2019/20 precept
At a Full Council meeting of Exmouth Town Council, held on January 7th 2019, members unanimously approved the Town Council’s budget for 2019/20 and an associated precept demand of £772,637.
Every year, the Town Council draws up its budgets and calculates how much money it needs for the next Financial Year. These are usually finalised at the January Council meeting and then submitted to East Devon District Council (EDDC). EDDC adds together its own demands with those of the County Council, the Police 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 £60.00 per annum. Compared to 2018/19, this equates to an additional £1.41 per annum for the tax year 2019/20 – or an extra three pence per week.
During the budget discussions, councillors agreed to deploy extra resources in order to help maintain open spaces in all five wards and to purchase additional festive lighting. Councillors committed £17,000 for Exmouth Festival, £30,000 for Tourist Information and agreed in principle to provide financial support for greater enforcement activity within the town centre following a recent increase in reports of anti-social behaviour.
The Town Council is also responsible for the following assets in Exmouth: allotments, Gorfin Hall, the Jubilee Clock Tower, seafront festoon lights and Christmas lights. 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 Jeff Trail, Chairman of Exmouth Town Council said: “The budget set by the Council enables us to continue to work for the benefit of the community. Exmouth Town Council is committed to improving our service to the Town through careful fiscal management and clear financial planning.”
For further information, please email townclerk@exmouth.gov.uk