Budget & Precept 2021/2022

In January the Town Council set the budget for financial year 2021/2022 as follows:

Council Tax Base – The notional number of Band D equivalent properties has risen to 4037.3 from 3963.4 an increase of 73.9.

Council Tax Figure – for financial year 2021/2022 – the band D equivalent will decrease from the current £118.96 to £118.95 (a reduction of 1p).

TC/71/20-21 It was RESOLVED that a precept be issued, requiring Telford & Wrekin Council to pay Newport Town Council £480,250.00 to meet its expenditure for the financial year 2021/22.

It is important to understand that this is the Newport Town Council element of the overall council tax bill that residents will have received from Telford & Wrekin Council in early March.  That will comprise additional elements such as Telford & Wrekin Council’s tax bill along with those of the Police and Fire authorities.

The Town Council’s services include the running of the cemetery, allotments, much of the footway lighting, grounds maintenance of St Nicholas Church, Close Circuit Television, Christmas lights and the provision of a Citizen’s Advice Bureau outreach worker.  High Street floral planting and watering of the hanging baskets is largely funded by Newport Town Council.  Significant levels of grant funding have also been made available to local organizations.  Maintaining the Guildhall is a significant cost to the Council as is the provision of the administrative resources that permit the Council to function. Newport Town Council will continue to provide funding to keep the Library open and pay for additional police.

Income is generated generally through burials, allotment and room hire (civil ceremonies mostly) fees and offsets a small amount of the overall expenditure.   Fees for Newport residents (e.g. allotments, funerals etc.) have been increased broadly in line with inflation. It should be noted that residents of Newport receive significant concessions on many of the fees charged.

The Town Council holds a significant amount of funds in reserve.  Much of that is earmarked for large ticket items including, on-going maintenance, Cemetery Development, additional parking, Community Building, as well as additional allotment land development.

There were a number of projects for 2020/21 with an estimated underspend which the Council agreed to be carried forward (which are to be accounted for from general reserves):

• N/L 4510 – £4.4k – Seed & Crisis – C/F underspend to FY 21/22
• N/L 4515 – £8k – Newport Carnival – C/F underspend for FY21/22 allocation
• N/L 4516 – £6,254 – Newport In Bloom – C/F underspend for FY21/22 allocation
• N/L 4386 – £600 – Heritage open days – C/F underspend for FY 21/22 allocation
• N/L 4218 – £2.4k – Smart water – C/F underspend for FY 21/22
• N/L 4355 – £9,372 – Canal Enhancements – C/F underspend for FY 21/22
• N/L 4352 – £1,868 – Canal Maint (New Owned) – C/F underspend for FY 21/22
• N/L 4514 – £2.5k – Covid – C/F underspend for FY 21/22

Total = £35,394

It was also agreed to transfer the following estimated underspends from 2020/21 to earmarked reserves (EMR) (figures are as at 9 Nov 2020)

• N/L 4388 – £15k – Cycle Race / Nocturne – Transfer underspend to EMR and budget nil for FY 21/22
• N/L 4183 – £25K – Town Council pathways – transfer to EMR
• N/L 4215 – £30k – Parking enforcement FY 21/22 & 22/23 – Transfer to EMR

Total = £70K

If you are a Newport resident and have views on where your money looks to be spent then please contact one of your local Town Councillors.

2021/ 2022 Budget

Estimates are on the cautious side due to the uncertainty on FY 20-21 and COVID pandemic