As reported last week, Wilmslow Town Council agreed their budget for 2024.25 which includes a 36.6% increase in the precept (the part of your council tax which is charged by the Town Council). This equates to a band 'D' property charge of £37.31, an increase of £10 per year.
The 2024-25 budget includes smaller increases in various areas such as administration costs, managing events, public toilets and CCTV, with the largest increase is in special projects. A total Special Projects budget of £221,500 was approved, compared to a budget of £110,000 for 2023-2024.
Having requested clarification clarification from Wilmslow Town Council regarding the increased level of spending on special projects, I was informed "In calculating the budget and precept request for 2024.25 the Town Council considered both its predicted reserves coming into the year and, it's spending priorities for the year.
"The following new initiatives were felt to be required within the expenditure budget for the year and have been included within the special projects budget for 2024.25. Each project will be considered on merit when proposals are formulated."
- Employment of a full time Volunteer coordinator (c£30k)
- Development of Communications (c£20k)
- Town Signage (c£10k)
- Traffic Regulation Enforcement (c£5k)
- Community Recognition (c£5k)
- Tourist Information (c£20K)
- Toilet Refurbishment (South Drive) (c£50k)
- Playground Enhancement (The Pleasure, West Ward) (c£15k)
- Playground replacement (The Villas, Dean Row Ward) (c£31k)
- Romany Commemoration (c£5k)
In addition, the following project priories were highlighted without a specific budget allocation.
- Refurbishment / Enhancement of Fulshaw Cross
- Refurbishment / Enhancement of the Boddington Gate
- Enhancements at Lindow Common / Lindow Moss.
- Developing the library building into a community hub.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
They appear to be trying to justify recent increases in the "precept" (part of Council tax) rather than anything else, 50K to refurbish a small toilet block is far too much and what on earth does "Community Recognition" or "Development of Communications" actually mean?
Macclesfield Town Council is poised to spend nearly £2 million on new pavilion for Macclesfield's South Park.
Courtesy of Macclesfield council tax payers with the help of a 40 year mortgage.
Give them power and they're sure to abuse it.
These figures are just budgets, not actual spending. We are just ringfencing funds until a formal proposal is developed, proposed and approved. It is therefore purely an accountancy device.
We envisage the Volunteer Co-ordinator will advise our local charities and community groups on how to improve their communications, apply for national grants and to get more local people to volunteer for them. Many of these groups are run on a shoestring by one or two people and we want to ensure they can continue their great work for the town.
The cost for the toilet blocks is purely indicative. We first have to get ownership of the toilets transferred to the town council from Cheshire East and decide what is best for the site. This may involve a refit or a complete rebuild with toilets forming part of a new building. Therefore, this budget allows us to explore all opportunities.
Community recognition is for the Community Awards scheme that is featured elsewhere on this site, while Development of Communications covers how we can best inform residents about our events, activities and volunteer opportunities. We will have to pay to get professional advice on among other things, what blend of media to use eg leaflets, boards around the town, X (formally Twitter), Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or via a dedicated app.
Fulshaw Cross has already been cleaned and the railings repainted. So pop along and see how this monument is now looking.
Finally, we are now working on how best to refurbish the Boddington Gate at The Carrs. A full proposal will be brought to council in the coming months.
Best regards
Mark
Cllr Mark Goldsmith
Residents of Wilmslow
Wilmslow Town Council
No idea what the "woke" phrases mean.
So Wilmslow does not need Public Toilets then !
Keep your thoughts and ideas coming in.
Roger Bagguley
Residents of Wilmslow (RoW)
Refurbishment of the toilet block £50k (to be precise that means £51,200) seems a tad costly. Are Jones Homes, Orbit Developments et al invoved??