Sandy Town Council’s 2021/22 Budget and Precept
Date Added: 05/02/2021
Sandy Town Council set the budget and precept for the year ending 31 March 2022 at a Full Council meeting on Monday 18th January 2021. The budget and precept were both unanimously voted through by those Members in attendance.
The agreed 2021/22 budget and precept request will result in an increase of £0.81p a year, or 1.55 pence a week for the average (Band D) taxpayer in Sandy. Band D households will pay £149.24 in 2021-22 for all the services Sandy Town Council provides.
As with other financial years all aspects of the Council’s budget were scrutinised and evaluated to reduce costs and make efficiency savings where possible while ensuring that its core functions are adequately resourced. The Council started its budget review process in September and the Policy, Finance and Resources Committee formally reviewed the budget at three meetings prior to making a recommendation to the Town Council.
The Council has maintained a small increase in this year's budget by seeking further reductions in administration costs, specifically its printing/stationery and IT budgets. Reductions have also been made in the cost of refuse disposal and as a result of the government's decision to end business rates on public toilets, which will save the council £1,800 in next year's budget. Although income lines from rental charges have reduced due to the pandemic, the Council has been able to offset expenditure in the budget via some increased income anticipated from the cemetery Chapel and use of Council land for some public events, such as outdoor theatres, a circus and a fun fair. These will of course all be dependent on Covid-19 regulations at the time.
In total, the Council made approximately £5,580 in budget reductions, and an overall increased income of £1,775 set against required budget increases of approximately £11,842.
The areas that account for a growth in the budget include increased costs for utilities, business rates, staffing, leases, and agreements to which the Council is obligated.
The Town Council recognises the importance of providing a best value service and keeping costs down. As such, service providers and contracts are continually reviewed to ensure best value and the Council actively applies for additional support funding wherever possible to help alleviate the burden on the Precept.