Monmouth Town Council has agreed a budget for the forthcoming financial year of £143,280.00 and a precept demand of £138,538.00

This year will see an increase in the precept of 3%. The Precept is the Town Council's sole source of income and is collected as the local component of your Council Tax bill

This amount equates to approximately £14.00 per head of the population of Monmouth per annum.

Based on up to date information for a Band 'D' Council Tax payer the associated council tax precept element will be £29.75 per year for 2009/2010, in comparison to £29.00 for 2008/2009, an increase of 0.75 pence.

The role of the Town Council is to represent and support our town and the needs of its residents. It is able to do this because it has the power to precept, ie to raise local taxes.

The budget is divided into four main categories. Finance & Policy: - £ 50,780.00 for administration costs, ceremonial costs, councillors' expenses and contingencies: Community Affairs: - cost £37,500.00 - including monies earmarked for supporting other local organisations and the Community Grants Scheme.

Environmental Affairs: - £55,000.00 which includes Monmouth Town Council's commitment towards the costs of the refurbishment of the Shire Hall, also match funded schemes, heritage schemes, transport schemes, town maintenance, street decorations which includes Christmas lights and the planting scheme. Town maintenance includes the Dixton field and the Drybridge Park play areas.

The administration costs include insurance, staff costs and general office expenses, audit costs, and IT costs as well as council member's training.

Other organisations supported include the Attik Youth project, Citizens Advice Bureau, Carnival, Festival, Summer Play Activities and numerous other local organisations.

Town Councillors receive no payment for their work, but can claim limited expenses towards costs incurred in their council work.

There is a small budget for contingencies and this is intended to cover any cost not identified in advance or under-funded.

Any monies left in the contingency fund or any other under spending is passed to General Reserves at the end of the financial year and can be used to reduce future local tax demands.

A detailed copy of the Budget for 2009/2010 will be available for inspection at the Town Clerk's office during normal office hours, which are between 9.30 am – 12.00 noon.

Any questions on the budget can be passed to the Town Clerk for consideration or for answering at the Finance & Policy meeting.

Alternatively questions may be put to your local Town Councillor.