Stroud Town Council has set new tax precept for new year

At a full council meeting, councillors unanimously agreed to increase its share of the council tax bill by 42 pence per week for Band D households who will pay £221.60 next year.

That represents an increase of 11 per cent which will enable the town council to focus on local services, such as the community hubs, which support residents throughout the town.

The precept will enable the Council to continue its funding through service level agreements for a large range of key organisations including Citizens Advice, Homestart, the Marah Trust, Allsorts and Paganhill Community Group, as well as community venues such as Lansdown Hall and Gallery and the Subscription Rooms.

Mayor Stella Parkes said: “Councillors are very aware of all the financial pressures local families are facing and were keen to balance a rise in the precept with the need to support the community. 

"Projects at grassroots level have been most impacted by funding cuts and inflationary rises yet provide the most support for those in the community who need that bit of extra help. 

“Stroud has always been known as a community which supports each other.

"This budget will enable the council to support those families who need that extra help, thanks to all of us making a small contribution to the general good.”

The Council set a total budget of £1,032,576 for 2024-25 of which £966,355 will be funded from council tax.

A new fundraiser post from April will help the council bring in external funding for projects and additional funding for community development and youth work will enable the council to support even more residents.

The Council will also be working on play equipment improvements at Park Gardens and Uplands, more Street Art projects, new bus shelters and match funding for projects to support walking and cycling.

Prudent investment into reserve funds in previous years is allowing these projects to go ahead without adding to residents' council tax bills.