In January, the Parish Council agreed the new budget for the year 2025-26. As part of this process, we have also determined the resulting precept needed to support our community's needs and services.

The precept is a portion of the council tax collected by Arun District Council to cover costs of the District, County and Parish Councils and Sussex Police. It is the main source of funding for your Parish Council, which receives no government grant, and plays a vital role in funding local services, maintaining our beautiful Parish, and supporting community initiatives. This year's budget aims to enhance our facilities, improve public spaces, and ensure the continued delivery of projects benefitting the Parish. That includes maintaining the council premises, grounds maintenance, tree and floral planting, repairing or replacing public seats, maintaining bus shelters, managing allotments, providing a free summer play scheme at Avisford Park and West Park, our village Christmas tree, discretionary grants to charitable and community organisations, contribution to public toilet facilities, and staff to administrate Council business. The appointment in 2024 of an Assistant Clerk to support the Clerk/RFO, both part time positions, was a planned resourcing decision, however the Government’s new rules on Employer National Insurance Contributions was not anticipated and has had a not insignificant impact on costs.

We are acutely aware of the rising cost of living affecting residents, whilst the Council also faces increasing supplier and resourcing costs. In considering the most economical way of continuing to provide a valuable service to the community, the Council has endeavoured to keep any increase to residents as low as is reasonably possible. The agreed budget for 2025- 26 results in a precept of £121,909, which is a 6.5% increase on last year’s precept: However, when offset by the increased District Council tax base formula, this is reduced to a 4% increase to a Band D (average range) property. This equates to an annual charge of £22.41 for a Band D property, an increase of 89p per annum, or 2p per week.

We hope that residents feel this is still good value for money, and we appreciate your understanding as we work together to make our community a good place to live.