Council approves Budget and sets its Precept for 2017/18
At its Full Council meeting of 13 December 2016, Horley Town Council approved its budget for 2017/18 and set its Town Precept. Cllr Samantha Marshall, Chairman of the Town Council’s Finance & General Purposes Committee, explained that the Precept for 2017/2018 has been set at a total net figure of £332,863. This means that the Town element of Council Tax will be an average annual amount of £35.94 (just over 69p per week), representing an annual increase of 70p per Band D household (+ 1.98 %).
Cllr Marshall commented: The Town Council remains fully committed to maintaining all its services, as well as pursuing a programme of enhancements and new projects. These will include improvements to our recreation grounds and playgrounds. A new concrete skate park is set to be installed at Horley Recreation Ground within the current municipal year, thanks in part to funding from the Surrey County Council Community Improvement Fund.
The Town Council will continue to support St Bartholomew’s New Churchyard and has made provision for £6,000 towards its grounds maintenance, subject to the approval of a grant application from the Church. Full details of all charges for 2017/2018, for the hire of Town Council owned facilities, will be announced shortly.
Provision has been made for continued enhancements to CCTV, in consultation with Surrey Police. There will also continue to be a commitment for regular security patrols in all our parks to aid the safety of all members of public.
The Council has also made provision for floral displays to enhance the town centre for the benefit of residents and visitors, in support of our planned entries for South and South East in Bloom 2017, having already won two Silver Gilt awards in 2016. We are grateful to those Borough and County Cllrs who continue to use their Community Awards Scheme to provide generous funding for this and other projects, including the Horley in Bloom Photographic Competition.
The Town Council will continue to seek funding from appropriate bodies (for example the London Marathon Charitable Trust). The Council will increase its earmarked funds by £47,000 for new projects including building up a Project Fund for a possible café at Horley Recreation Ground.
In conclusion, in a challenging financial climate, Horley Town Council is committed to providing and enhancing facilities that meet the communities’ needs, and in doing so, achieving them at best value. Detailed information on the budget will be available on our website www.horleysurrey-tc.gov.uk under documents/2016/strategic documents & policies/financial or from the Town Council Offices.
