Welshpool residents facing another council tax rise

Ratepayers in Welshpool could be asked to pay an additional £34 per year by the Town Council – on top of an expected 5% increase from Powys County Council.

The Town Council’s strategy and policies committee has recommended approval of an outline budget prepared by Town Clerk Robert Robinson which shows residents being asked to pay an extra 66p per week.

The full financial report will be discussed at the January strategy and policies committee ready for approval by full council and in its current form will represent an increase of around 22% for Band D properties.

Powys County Council is expected to put forward an increase of over 5% for Band D properties. Last year’s 5% cost residents an additional £56 which means overall costs may go up by around £100 per year.

The increase will help cover the costs of relocating the CCTV system at £10,000, an additional £2,000 marketing budget for events, improved Christmas lighting, reduction in Town Hall rate revenue and an increase in Street Scene vehicle expenditure.

The Town Council is also in the process of appointing an Assistant Town Clerk with interviews taking place this week.

Welshpool Town Council has taken on responsibility for the Ann Holloway Day Centre, public toilets, the Tourist Information Centre, street cleaning, grass cutting and bins from Powys County Council over the last few years at a cost to local residents.

What the Town Council provides and looks after (list provided to us by the Town Council):

Town Hall, markets, recreation centre, day centre, meals on wheels, Tourist Information Centre, three sets of public toilets, council offices, recreation grounds and open spaces, flower beds, six playgrounds, country park, litter bins, street cleaning, fly tipping, verges, station car parks, memorial gardens, war memorial, CCTV system, Mottte and Bailey Castle, community awards, allotments, events (including Christmas Lights, Carnival, Winter Festival, Transport Festival, Remembrance and others), archives, newsletters, web site and donations along with a range of other smaller services.