Congleton Town Council approved the Budget and Precept for 2025-2026 on 23 January 2025. Like many others, the town council faces operating cost increases, plus increases out of the town council’s control – Employers National Insurance increases and the requirement passed on from Cheshire East Council to pay for Town and Parish Council Elections.
The town council had careful, considered and lengthy discussions regarding the budgets and any increase, during these discussions it was agreed to use up to £128,000 of reserves to cover some purchases and projects.
Due to operational cost increases and new budget requirements, the approved budget for 2025-2026 will entail a precept rise of 23p per week or £11.92 per year for band D properties, consequently, residents in band D properties will see their annual contribution to the town council increase to £117.41, reflecting a 11.3% rise (from an annual contribution of £105.49 in 2024-2025). The initial draft budget was presented to the Finance and Policy Committee on 14 January 2025, where the draft annual increase was £17.74, after discussions this reduced to the now approved £11.92.
Further information on the annual increase per Council Tax band are below:
Congleton Town Council’s Chief Officer, David McGifford explains: “As mentioned, certain amounts that required additional budgets were out of the town council’s control. The increase in Employers National Insurance following the changes announced in the Chancellor’s Budget equates to approximately £26,500. In addition to the National Insurance contributions the town council will now be expected to pay £5,500 in respect of the Town and Parish share of the cost of the “All Out” Elections in 2027. (This will be an on-going annual budget requirement going forward, Town and Parish Councils have not had to contribute to the main Elections previously, the only requirement was to contribute to By-Elections.) The combined total equates to 2.5%.of the overall increase.
“On top of the Employers National Insurance increase, salaries have increased by 3.4%, this increase is decided by the National Joint Council Salaries, and apply nationally. Going into 2025-2026 the town council will be holding a General Reserve slightly lower than required in its policy. The council decided against rebuilding these reserves, as this would have resulted in an additional increase above the approved 11.3%.”
The papers covering the Budget Meeting can be found on the town council’s website: https://www.congleton-tc.gov.uk/your-council/committee-meetings/council-meetings/emergency-council-meeting-23rd-january-2025/
Any questions can be directed to the Chief Officer via email: info@congleton-tc.gov.uk. Alternatively residents can contact the Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee, Cllr Robert Douglas: cllrrobert.douglas@congleton-tc.gov.uk
