OSWESTRY residents will foot the bill after the county council slashed its budgets and services last year.
The town council revealed last week that council tax payments are expected to increase by an average £1.85 for the 2013/13 financial year, with the unitary authority’s tax precept increasing 2.37 per cent – a three per cent increase in budget inflation.
The budget rise reflects the loss of changes to county council funded services, which have impacted both parish and town councils, but also Oswestry Town Council’s plans to invest in improving the look of the town centre and its aims to attract tourists to the area in the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic year.
However, market stallholder fees and car parking charges will remain the same.
Among the schemes supported by town councillors this year are a £104,000 investment of new play equipment at Cae Glas Park, £35,000 towards the town’s Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and a £75,000 bed and breakfast scheme, which will be partly funded by Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme and support a £3,000 tourism strategy for the town.
Councillors also approved £25,000 funding to convert the entire lighting stock to part night burning, which will reduce carbon emissions and help meet Shropshire Council energy targets.
Oswestry Town Mayor, Councillor Cynthia Hawksley, said the budget centred around the challenging times for local government, with many uncertainties and changes being enforced by Shropshire Council.
“The council felt it important to retain car parking charges at their current level to ensure that the town is attractive for shoppers and visitors,” she explained, adding: “The budget reflects a considerable investment in both economic and community development regeneration and also services and events.”
Other investments made as part of the 2011/12 budget include:
- £35,000 to go towards the new audiological suite at the new Oswestry Health Centre (earmarked in the 2011/12 financial year, but not invested)
- £20,000 towards the refurbishment of the Central car park toilets
- £20,000 for further market investment in the town
- £5,000 towards new planters for Oswestry town centre
- investment in town’s Christmas lighting by replacing the scheme
- increase the council’s grants and donations budget in recognition of local organisations impacted by funding cuts at national and local level
- looking at an apprentice scheme within the town council in managerial and administration roles
Draft council taxes for 2012/13:
Band A – £43.91 (+ £1.02)
Band B – £51.22 (+ £1.19)
Band C – £58.54 (+ £1.36)
Band D – £65.86 (+ £1.53)
Band E – £80.49 (+ £1.86)
Band F – £95.13 (+ £2.21)
Band G – £109.77 (+ £2.55)
Band H – £131.72 (+ £3.06)