Parish Council Budget 2026/2027

COUNCIL TAX

At its budget meeting last night the Parish Council considered its budget requirements for 2026/27. A budget of £118,202.00 was agreed along with a precept figure of £113,012.00. Regrettably the parish council element of council tax bills will need increase by £23.86 for the year for a band D property (£1.99 per month. 80% of households in the village are in bands A - C sowill pay less than this. This is the first increase in three years. There are a number of reasons for this and I have outlined the main ones here:

1) Our tax base (number of households paying council tax) has reduced by 40 households

2) A new bus shelter will be installed at Primrose Square. We have successfully applied for 80% grant funding but need to contribute 20% matchfunding

3) Having worked with the school we are providing 50% funding towards road safety measures on Manns Lane. These will consist of two new timer activated 20mph signs and improved road lining to help with unsafe parking issues. NCC to provide 50% match funding.

4) On Greengate opposite the junction of Bennett Road we have allowed to install an additional streetlight to improve visibility. There has previously been a number of RTCs in this location involving parked vehicles.

5) We have decided to try and help with ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour in some locations in the village. We are seeking to employ the services of a Breckland Streetwarden two days a month. They will work with SMPC, residents and outside agencies to try and improve a situation which we know blights the lives of some residents.

6) We are in discussion with Breckland Council about the possibility of having some of their land in the village transferred to the ownership of SMPC. We have had to allow for possible legal fees for this.

We do understand that an increase in council tax will be disappointing but the Parish Council hopes that residents will understand our reasoning to pay for these and other improvements in the village. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to email me at roger@swantonmorley.org.

Roger Atterwill,

Chairman