Councillors at Oswestry Town Council met last night to set its budget and agree spending plans for 2025/26 against a backdrop of financial pressures at a regional level and challenges from national issues and policy making.
As the town council receives no funding from Government nor any penny of business rates paid locally, the focus of the council is to balance available resources from a share of council tax collected, known as the Precept, and income generation. This income helps to protect local services valued by residents.
Whilst the majority of parish and town council Precepts are around 75% of their net expenditure, Oswestry’s Precept is often around 25% because of the council’s sound financial management over many years.
The budget for 2025/26 has been prepared on raising a Precept of £588,315, up from £560,300 in 2024/25. The Precept increase and income generated will enable the council to maintain the services that benefit the people of Oswestry whilst maintaining reserves to protect against risk and taking on new assets such as The Centre and Llwyd Mansion.
The decision by councillors to approve the budget last night will mean the annual charge for a Band D property will be £107.07 in 2025/26 compared to £102.89 last year, an increase of £4.18 annually or 8p per week. For a Band A property, the increase will be £2.79 annually or 5p per week. These figures will be set by Shropshire Council.
Funding has been set aside to support many local priorities including:
– Community grants to support local groups and organisations
– Grants to support local businesses and rejuvenate the town centre
– Free bus services on Saturdays
– Investing in youth services
– No increase in car parking charges
– Events and festivals that bring the community together including a VE Day Celebration
– Safeguarding historic sites such as Llwyd Mansion
– Looking after Cae Glas Park
– Strengthening the council’s approach to biodiversity and net zero carbon
The total budget for the year ahead was agreed at £2.69m, of which £55k will be met from reserves.
The Mayor of Oswestry cllr Mike Isherwood said: “The budget reflects the quality of services that residents rightly expect while being mindful of the rising costs we are all facing.
“We are in a good financial position to deliver positive impact for the people of Oswestry, and we will continue to work hard to deliver improvements that help make our town such a friendly, welcoming and special place.”
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