Budget warning to Oswestry Town Council
Saturday 15th January 2011, 12:11PM GMT.
Oswestry Town Council meets to set its budget on Monday amid warnings it must not raid its reserves.
It is being recommended the council sets a precept which will mean Band D taxpayers paying £58.90 – an increase of four per cent.
In his report, town clerk, David Preston, says using existing balances to keep the rise down would prove false economy if the Government decided to cap council’s precepts in the years to come.
The council has traditionally brought in income from markets and car parks.
Mr Preston says: “New income streams are still required, particularly as the council has become more diverse in its functions and the services it provides.
“More responsibility is being pushed down towards the local level from both government and unitary authorities. With pressure on council budgets the prospect of devolution towards the larger local councils in the coming months remains both an opportunity and a threat.”
The council lost income when the County Court moved out of the council-owned Guildhall building.
The budget report to councillors, who meet at the Guildhall at 6.30pm on Monday, sets out a wide range of expenditure.
The upgrading of car park equipment could get £40,000 in the budget with a further £6,000 included for the replacement of pay and display machines in the Smithfield Street car park.
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