Statement of Explanation - Precept 26/27
Why has the Parish Precept increased for 2026/27?
The Parish Council recognises that this year’s increase in the parish precept is significant, and the Council wants to explain clearly why this has happened.
For a number of years, the Parish Council was able to keep the precept relatively low (£25,375 last year, and in previous years lower). This was largely because the Council had built up reserves through external grant funding, including a £45,000 grant in 2020. These reserves were used to support projects and, at times, help meet ongoing costs. Whilst grant funding remains available for some projects, it is widely sought after and often challenging to secure.
In recent years, those reserves have been used to fund community projects and maintain parish assets. Over this period, the Council has also experienced increases in its ongoing operational costs. As a result, reliance on reserves has reduced and the Council now relies more directly on the precept to fund its ongoing responsibilities.
The 2026/27 budget of £90,690 — an uplift from the previous year of £65,315 — reflects this shift to a more sustainable level of funding. It includes essential and ongoing costs, including provision towards future expenditure, such as:
• employing a permanent part-time Clerk (the Council’s Proper Officer and Responsible Financial Officer) — around a £6,500 uplift;
• maintaining parish facilities, including the recreation ground and playgrounds, specifically £5,000 for playground repairs;
• progressing Neighbourhood Plan work — around £10,000;
• riparian ownership responsibilities (ditch and grip clearance) previously carried out by Surrey County Council;
• carrying out drainage improvements at Seale Recreation Ground — around £10,000; and
• setting aside funds towards future parish elections — around £4,400.
In addition, the Council has faced some one-off and external pressures this year, including:
• the cost of a temporary (locum) clerk during a staffing transition — around £13,000 (largely covered from reserves);
• the loss of some external funding that previously supported projects, such as for the Neighbourhood Plan;
• increasing maintenance costs for parish facilities — around £2,000;
• the need to make provision for potential legal costs linked to the Wood Lane matter — initial estimate of £22,100;
• reduced income from hiring out Council facilities — around £4,725.
Taken together, and supported by ongoing monitoring of budgeted and actual expenditure, these factors mean the Council is moving from a historically low precept — supported by reserves and external funding — to a more sustainable position that ensures it can continue to meet its responsibilities, maintain local facilities, and manage risks appropriately.
The Council is also working to further develop its financial governance arrangements, including:
• enhanced financial reporting to members
• ongoing budget monitoring and review
• consideration of future known costs within medium-term planning
• continued focus on value for money and cost control
• ongoing risk management and financial oversight
Many of these arrangements are already in place, with others being developed as part of the Council’s evolving financial management approach.
We understand that any increase in costs is unwelcome. The Council remains committed to managing public funds responsibly and to being open and transparent about how your money is used.
End