Witney Town Council has approved a modest increase to its precept for the 2025/26 financial year, which will result in an additional cost of just £2.20 per month for residents. This increase will enable the Council to continue delivering and enhancing a wide range of important local services.
Looking ahead to 2025/26, the Council is excited to continue improving local facilities, including significant developments at West Witney Sports Ground and The Leys, and the addition of new community assets at Windrush Place. The Council remains committed to delivering excellent, open and accessible customer service through its friendly and welcoming offices in Market Square, ensuring residents receive the support they need.
The precept is a vital source of income for the Town Council, contributing just 7% of the total council tax bill paid by residents. It supports a broad range of services that enhance the quality of life in Witney, including the upkeep of public spaces such as parks, flowerbeds, roundabouts, and verges under its ownership, as well as funding community initiatives like grants, Christmas lights, Remembrance services, the Witney Music Festival, The Station detached youth work, Witney town bus service, and much more. Additionally, the council provides local amenities such as sports pitches, the wheeled sports park, cemeteries, public halls, the Corn Exchange, the lake and country park, street furniture, and allotments.
While some services may require additional fees, the precept ensures these costs remain as affordable as possible for all residents, helping to maintain a strong sense of community and support for everyone.
At a meeting on Monday, 6th January 2025, Councillors reviewed the budget proposals for the coming year, which had received cross-party support in December. Following this review, the precept increase was confirmed. From April, the average Band D property will contribute £203.37 annually, an increase of £26.37 from the previous year. This rise remains below inflationary increases since 2019[i], ensuring it remains affordable for residents.
Witney Town Council is dedicated to responsible financial management, which includes seeking grant funding wherever possible to offset increased project costs and ensuring that local services continue to meet the growing needs and aspirations of our residents. The increase in the precept will help the Council reinvest in the community, drive future improvements, and maximise the impact of the funding to benefit all who live and work in Witney.
Cllr Ruth Smith, Leader of Witney Town Council said:
As Witney Town Council moves towards the end of its 50th Anniversary Year, I was pleased with the level of debate and consensus reached among councillors at our December meeting, which set the parameters for the budget. And again, last night, there was cross-party understanding and support for the big projects the council is undertaking this year. Witney is one of the largest Town Councils in the country and its budget, staffing and services are entirely different to those of surrounding villages. Other towns in the area are having to increase their precepts by larger amounts. Witney’s staff team do an amazing job delivering value for money whilst really caring for our community, and when we pull together as councillors of all parties, like this, we can see real progress in our growing town.”
[i] Based on RPI October 2019 to October 2024
