Melksham Without raises precept by 6.1% in new budget

Melksham Without Parish Council has agreed to raise its precept, the parish council’s share of council tax, by 6.1% for the 2026/27 financial year.

Parish councillors unanimously agreed to the rise at the Full Council meeting held on Monday 26th January, where they also set their budget for the year at £302,429.

This means that an average Band D property will contribute £101.14 to Melksham Without Parish Council, a £5.49 (5.74%) rise on last year. This will be a rise of 11p per week for the average parish household.   

Clerk of Melksham Without Parish Council Teresa Strange said, “The parish council have strived to keep the cost low for residents, whilst maintaining services and investing in assets.

“The parish council runs a number of facilities and services in the parish from this precept funding and supports a number of community ventures in both the parish as well as those in the town and villages outside the parish.

“It currently runs and maintains seven play areas with plans to invest in the Beanacre play area with replacement equipment. In addition, it also owns two playing fields, one in Bowerhill and one in Shaw (The Beeches). The parish council has taken on some additional grass cutting on public open space owned by Wiltshire Council, to improve the cutting in some areas and for wildflower meadow areas in patches on the public open spaces. The parish council has two allotment sites, both in Berryfield, which have a near-full occupancy of 70+ tenants at present.

“The parish council contributes to a variety of joint ventures with Melksham Town Council, such as the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan, the development of Shurnhold Fields mini country park and the public toilets in the Market Place. It also provides funding for the Christmas lights and Remembrance Day event. The parish council has agreed up to £12,360 to continue to provide additional proactive support to the most vulnerable residents in the parish.”

The parish council provides grant funding and has budgeted £51,750 for next year.

Teresa said, “These grants provide valuable funding for all the village halls in the parish: Shaw, Bowerhill, Whitley Reading Rooms and the new hall in Berryfield, as well as a wide spread of clubs, support groups and organisations that provide sporting activities, village publications, events and activities for young and old”

A copy of the minutes of the parish council’s Finance Committee meeting on 5th January, when the budget was discussed in detail, is available to view on the council’s website https://www.melkshamwithout-pc.gov.uk