Great Dunmow Town Council has increased their precept from £762,818 in 2023/24 to £1,013,793 in 2024/25, an increase of £250,975 (24.4%).
The increase represents an annual increase of £41.54 for a `band D property`, equating to less than £1 per week.
The increase has been driven by two separate but important factors.
Firstly, the general costs of providing council services have increased. Costs have increased in some cases greater than the headline rates of inflation due to the links with energy prices, construction /maintenance and repair costs. Additionally, Local Government pay increases / awards, have benefited our lower paid Council employees, which has a positive impact for the majority of our Council’s Staff.
Secondly, Great Dunmow Town Council are investing in a number of important projects that will benefit the residents of the parish. These include:
- The long-term preservation and conservation of the War Memorial,
- The long-term sustainability of the Doctors Pond, both as a tourist attraction and as a recreational resource for fishers, following on from the recent urgent repairs,
- Monies allocated to assure the long-term future provision of Seasonal Lights within the town,
- Monies allocated to enable the Town Council to actively pursue and support the continued provision of Youth Services in Great Dunmow,
- Monies allocated to build a reserve for the refurbishment and additions to our play grounds, skate park and pathway through the recreational ground,
- Monies allocated for a sub-committee to consider and recommend ways to reduce the Councils Carbon footprint and reliance on non-sustainable energy sources.
The combined cost of these projects is £205,317 which includes the dedicated project reserve plus additional budget headings.
It should be noted that the cost for the Recreation Ground Project is being met from existing reserves prudently established over several years, alongside a significant grant received from Uttlesford District Council, this is not the driver for the increase in the precept.
The decision for such a substantial increase to the precept was not taken lightly and was determined over seven and at times long public council meetings between November 2023 and January 2024. However, the actual budget process for 2024 /25 started in late August 2023 with a multitude of meetings held between the Responsible Financial Officer, the Financial Officer, the Chairs of the Council’s Standing Committees and myself.The balance taken by Councillors was that it was very important to invest in our youth, our halls and our recreational facilities, for both current and future resident’s benefit.
Officers and Members continue to work diligently on behalf of the community and are proud to have been able to maintain grants to a number of local groups and charities in excess of £30,000 for the 2024 /25 financial year.
Councillors do not get paid; however, we are entitled to an allowance that currently stands at £340 (gross) per year. This allowance has not been increased for a number of years and hasn’t been increased for 2024 /25.
I would also like to thank all previous Councillors and Staff for their hard work and dedication. Their commitment has given the Town Council a strong base to progress from.
Best regards
Cllr Rod Jones
Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee