Town Council to increase precept by 26p a week

FRODSHAM Town Council’s spending proposals for the coming year will cost residents of the average Band D house an extra £13.65 in council tax for the year – an average increase of 26p a week.
The figure was approved at the council’s annual budget meeting and is due to be formally confirmed at the next meeting of the council on January 28.
It excludes Cheshire West and Chester Council’s charge and the police and fire service precepts.
Two major projects will be funded in the coming year and a council manager will be appointed to oversee day to day management.
To meets these costs the Town Council will levy a precept of £269,066 will be required. This amounts to £72.78 a year for the average (Band D) household: an annual increase of £13.65 or 26p a week.
At its budget meeting, the council scrutinised the budgets of each committee to limit the impact of the increase. A number of savings were approved.
The increase will allow the Town Council to the extend the cemetery into the unused upper portion. The work is essential as the current burial area will soon be full.
The War Memorial is in a vulnerable condition and requires conservation and repair works, including new foundations, cleaning and repointing the obelisk, base, plinths and surrounding apron and repair and repainting of the railings. The Memorial Field entrance gates and railings also need repair and refurbishment. The estimated cost of these works is £115,000, although the War Memorials Trust have agreed a grant of £30,000 towards the costs.
The Council has also decided to employ a full-time Council Manager to replace the vacant post of Town Clerk following evaluation by the Cheshire Association of Local Councils. The Council Manager will deal with the complex projects which have been initiated by the Council and there will be a greater emphasis on community engagement.