Shrewsbury Town Council has announced its budget for the 2012/13 financial year which it says will ensure continued value for money for residents.
Members approved the figures at a meeting of the full council held last night [MON].
The 2012/13 £3,436,012 budget will be part-funded by the ratepayer and includes a small precept increase of six pence per week for an average Band D property.
Helen Ball, Town Clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council, said financial plans instigated at the time when the Town Council was set up meant that it would receive decreasing subsidy from Shropshire Council over a ten year period which would need to be balanced via the Council Tax precept.
She said: “The Town Council is very aware that, in the current economic climate, everyone is feeling the pressures on their finances. We have had to balance that with the need to meet the shortfall in our decreasing subsidy from the principal authority. The precept for 2012/13 will allow us to continue to provide the high quality services our residents expect from us and will also position us to be able to respond to the Government’s agenda of Localism.”
Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of the council added: “Our Council Tax, which is an average rate per annum of £39.89 for a Band D property, provides value for money in comparison to neighbouring Shropshire Town Councils, many of which levy an average household rate upwards of £100 per year and in terms of the services we offer.”
Shrewsbury Town Council provides a range of services and facilities including:
The Quarry and Dingle
Children’s play areas
Sports facilities
Allotments
Pocket parks across the town
Public conveniences
Quality planting in flower beds, planters, hanging baskets and planters on streetlights
Christmas lighting displays and events
The town’s award winning Market Hall
The Council will also continue to support on-going austerity measures throughout the 2012/13 financial year and is currently in negotiations with Shropshire Council regarding taking on more services at a local level.
At a grass roots level the Town Council is committed to supporting community based initiatives and the Mayor of Shrewsbury remains one of the busiest Town Mayor’s in the country attending and promoting many community groups and organisations’ activities throughout the year.
This year will also see a continuing commitment to providing opportunities for young people in the area through the council’s youth apprentice scheme.
The Council works hard to promote the town as a prime location to live, work and visit and will continue to drive forward key initiatives throughout the next 12 months, and beyond, to boost the local economy.
The Town Council is also the driving force behind Shrewsbury’s entry into the Heart of England in Bloom, for which the town has received a Gold Award for the last two years. Plans for the 2012 campaign are already underway.
For further information contact Suzi Wilkinson, Marketing & Promotions Officer on: 01743 257654 or email suzi.wilkinson-stc@shropshire.gov.uk