RESIDENTS will see a slight increase in their town council precept from April following the disclosure of the 2020/21 budget.

The final budget was discussed by councillors at this month’s Northwich Town Council meeting held on Monday evening.

Councillors unanimously agreed to a rise in the precept from £513,846 this financial year to £530,779 for 2020/21.

The cost per Band D property will increase by 48p to £76.86 per annum, compared to £76.38 this current financial year.

The overall budget, which is made up of the council’s income and precept, will total £756,784.

The news follows draft Cheshire West and Chester Council budget plans revealing that residents are also facing an additional council tax increase of 3.99 per cent.

Justification for the town council precept rise is placed on the number and quality of events which will be taking place in the town centre in the next 12 months.

Chris Shaw, town council clerk, said: “We have worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to keep costs at a minimum, while still providing high quality services to our residents.

“Our parks, play areas, cemeteries and allotment sites are maintained to the highest of standards, with investment taking place last year and also in the future.

“We will also be putting on additional activities in the town centre between each Artisan Market to support local traders and hopefully encourage families to visit and stay in the town.

“By doing so and increasing our income through outside contracts, we can keep our precept increase to a minimum.”

Leftwich councillor Andrew Cooper added: “I believe Northwich Town Council provides great value for money for the people of Northwich, with services like the paddling pool and ever more ambitious events like the Christmas Extravaganza and the Krazy Races taking place later this year.

“Owing to NTC’s success in obtaining further outside contract work on behalf of other parish councils, we’ve been able to reinvest that money into the town and keep the precept rise to less than 1 per cent - well below the rate of inflation.

“CWAC continues to be subjected to unprecedented levels of cuts in the funding it receives from central government, with ever increasing pressure on the statutory services it provides for adults and children in care.

“It’s the right thing for Northwich Town Council to continue to do all it can to build upon the support we give to CWAC in delivering street cleansing in the town centre and in maintaining the play areas around town in the face of this continuing austerity.”