Town Council agrees 29.74% council tax rise despite opposition

Melksham Town Council has voted for a 29.74% rise in its precept for 2026-27, increasing the portion of council tax paid by residents to fund town council services, despite opposition from some councillors.

The decision was taken at a full town council meeting on Monday 12th January. For a Band D household, the increase equates to approximately £1.15 per week or £59.45 per year.

Councillors who backed the budget said the rise was needed to fund improvements residents had asked for, including parks and community events. Cllr Rhys Cleary said, “this budget is balanced, realistic and focused on outcomes for the people of Melksham.” The budget includes £10,000 for an arts festival, over £170,000 to improve play parks and staffing costs of over £800,000.

However, the budget was opposed by some councillors. Conservative councillors put forward an alternative proposal, with Cllr Phil Alford outlining a plan for a 2.7% increase to the precept. The alternative budget included cuts to staffing and grants, and was voted down.

Opposing the increase, Cllr Tom Price said a near-30% rise was unnecessary and would “cripple residents”, describing the budget as “frivolously just spending money.”

He said, “It isn’t Monopoly money. This is the people of Melksham’s money a 30% increase. It’s disgusting. It’s going to cripple families.  

“What we’re going to say to the people of Melksham when they are struggling to make ends meet, and we’ve just increased their tax by 30%? It isn’t just pennies.”

Cllr Jennie Westbrook said residents had asked for “parks and open spaces, events in the cultural life and the environment of stability”.

She said, “Those things that Councillor Alford took from his budget, that your proposal took away, they are the things that we have on record of what the council is being asked to provide, because they want arts and music festivals.” 

Cllr Westbrook added that the budget “doesn’t neglect residents”. She said, “It’s a scary percentage, 29% but for that, we are going to deliver you new playgrounds, some kind of new festival, not quite sure what it’s going to look like at the moment, we are going to complete that sensory garden.”

During the meeting, it was also said that an 87% increase had originally been suggested by officers during budget discussions held behind closed doors.

Cllr Jennie Westbrook said, “the proposed budget that originally came to us was an 87% increase. We have worked so hard to get that down from an 87% increase to under 30%.”

Melksham’s Mayor, Cllr Saffi Rabey, said “those most affected within our communities don’t always pay council tax”, with councillors adding that the council would look at ways to ensure residents are aware of available financial support. 

 Cllr Jennie Westbrook said Melksham’s precept remained lower than in other towns, but Cllr Alford responded that this was because those towns had taken on services from Wiltshire Council that Melksham had not.

The budget of £1,552,883 was approved with Cllr Pat Aves, Cllr Rhys Cleary, Cllr Jenny Crossley, Cllr Gillian Elson, Cllr Andrew Griffin, Cllr Saffi Rabey, Cllr Charlie Stokes, Cllr Adrienne Westbrook and Cllr Jennie Westbrook voting in favour, with Cllr Phil Alford, Cllr Maverick Drewett, Cllr Jack Oatley and Cllr Tom Price voting against. 

Pictured: Melksham Town Hall