Salisbury City Council Budget Proposals You Might’ve Missed
Salisbury’s budget plans reveal tax increases and key investments for the community
Salisbury, UK, Budget, Council Tax, Investments, Local Services
Salisbury: The city council has laid out its budget proposals, and there’s a lot to unpack. The 31-page document is packed with policies, but many residents are likely wondering how much their council tax will go up.
Next year, the council’s precept will rise to £5.94 million. For those in a Band D property, that means an increase of £18.15 a year, bringing their total to £382.15. Not too shabby, right?
Interestingly, about 60% of properties in Salisbury fall below Band D, with Band C being the most common. So, if you’re in Band A, your annual bill will be around £254.77, while Band H will see it hit £764.30.
Now, what’s the council planning to spend all this money on? Well, they’re focusing on some essential repairs and investments. For instance, they’re setting aside £300,000 for urgent repairs to the wall around Wyndham Park, which was deemed unsafe last year.
They’re also investing in solar panels at their depot, hoping to see some financial returns down the line. Plus, there’s £150,000 earmarked for a ‘de-watering bay’ to keep their Streetscene sweeper service running smoothly.
And get this: they’re even trialing a stage in Market Square for six weeks to see if it could become a permanent feature. Sounds like they’re trying to liven things up a bit!
But not everyone is on board with the budget. Some councillors are raising eyebrows over spending on things like a mobile bar and an ice-cream van, arguing it’s not the best use of residents’ money.
On the flip side, the council claims these investments will generate returns. Still, local pub owners are worried about how these plans will affect their businesses, especially with public toilet closures on the horizon.
As for savings, the council is cutting costs by closing the Central Car Park and some toilets, which should save around £100,000 a year. They’re also outsourcing payroll processing to save another £30,000.
Interestingly, the Conservative group has put forward a fully costed budget for the first time, suggesting some significant investments for the future. However, they also proposed cutting a grant to the local museum, which has raised some eyebrows.