We are asking Winsford residents for their views on the Town Council’s proposed budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
In local government, the financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March.
Winsford Town Council’s budget process starts in October each year when we publish the outturn figures for the current year – these are attached for 2025/26.
These figures allow us to start to think about what our budget will be for next year.
During November and December, meetings are held to consider the various aspects of the budget based on our commitments in our Council Plan – this is attached below.
Allied to the Council Plan, is the Town Council’s Action Plan – see below – which sets out the key priorities and actions for the Council.
These documents allow us to begin to prepare estimates for our year end position and identify budget requirements based on the commitments in the Council Plan, planned activity and commitments.
Our priorities are as follows: –
- Restoration of the Guildhall
- Opening of town centre toilets
- Development of parks and open spaces
- Enhancement of provision of grants to organisations
- To improve safety of Barton Stadium
The current Town Council budget is £839,751 which equates to £85.02 per Band D household.
The 2025/26 expenditure budget is £868,751 in total – this is made up of the following: –
- Public Buildings (e.g. Guildhall) – £25,000
- Events – £95,000
- School Milk (for all pupils up to the age of 7 in Winsford) – £47,000
- Grants – £65,000
- Elections – £12,000
- Open Spaces/Allotments – £79,501
- Staffing – £430,000
- Office Accommodation – £23,500
- IT Support – £10,000
Based on the projected outturn for the 2025/26 financial year and the key priorities of the Council, the following areas have been examined by the Town Council.
Possible areas for increases in funding/resources: –
- Grounds Maintenance Contract
- Maintenance of parks and open spaces
- Management of allotments
- IT support
- Insurance
- Management of public buildings – including public toilets in the town centre
Possible areas for decreases in funding/resources: –
- Events
- Office accommodation
- Staffing costs
In terms of income, the Town Council has budgeted £29,000 for 2025/26, which will be reviewed as part of the budget setting process for 2026/27.
Current income mainly comes from the following sources: –
- Precept – £839,751
- Income from parks/open spaces/allotments – £5,500
- Events (grants and sponsorship) – £13,000
- School Milk Subsidies – £10,000
The Town Council is also looking at other ways to enhance income and has suggested an income budget of £45,000 for 2026/27.
Our consultation process is to ask you as our residents which of the following you would prefer to see: –
- O% change – to keep the precept at the same level – whilst this is obviously preferential as none of us want to pay more tax, this would mean that we would not have funds to open and maintain the public toilets, maintain the parks/open spaces and make improvements to our public buildings including the Guildhall. A summary of the budget if a 0% change is applied can be found below.
- 2.5% increase – this would be an increase of 2.5% on the precept and would make it more likely for us to deliver the changes outlined above in terms of the toilets, parks/open spaces and public buildings. A summary of the budget if a 2.5% increase is applied can be found below.
- 5% increase – this would be an increase of 5% and would make delivery even more likely in the key areas outlined above. A summary of the budget if a 0% change is applied can be found below.
The Town Council, in developing its budget, is recommending a 2.5% increase.
If you have any comments on these budget proposals, please email the Town Council at mail@winsford.gov.uk