By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Residents in two Gloucestershire market towns will have to pay more tax to their parish council than their district authority from April.
The average council tax bill households pay for services provided by Wotton-under-Edge and Stroud town councils will be £245.97 and £243.82 respectively.
This is less than the £243.08 that Stroud District Council will charge to the average band D property during the 2025/26 financial year – up 2.99 per cent since last year.
And the district council provides services such as bin collection, planning, recycling, leisure, and off-street parking for the entire area.
Town councils say they need to raise council tax because they are responsible for important and much valued buildings, open spaces and services and have limited opportunities to generate income.
They also say council tax comparisons cannot be easily made with parishes as they can be very different areas and have different assets and responsibilities to their peers.
Wotton Town Council has set a budget of £526,688 for the next financial year. This equates to £245.97 for a band D property and is up 5.06 per cent since last year.
A spokesperson said they are a large council because of all the buildings, facilities and assets they own.
They say councillors scrutinise every penny they spend on behalf of the taxpayer and have been working on the very challenging task of trying to invest in and support the community while ensuring that its buildings, facilities, assets, and amenities are safe and fit for purpose.
They also say they are mindful of the cost of living and inflation on council services, contracts, and materials; and on residents and businesses.
“We’ve got two listed buildings, the Town Hall and The Chipping Hall,” town clerk Andrea Durn said.
“They need extensive work to be done which is going to be done this year. But we’ve also got other buildings, a play area, a large cemetery, loads of open spaces, picnic areas and all of that costs.”
The town council also provides youth services as well as ensuring the town itself thrives by helping its independent business in not charging for parking.
They also pay grants towards the Heritage Centre, the town’s tourism information centre and museum, as well as the Keeper’s Community Hub.
The town council also supports the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, the Synwell Playing Field, Wotton Community Sports Foundation, Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Support Network and Christmas Under The Edge.
They also support Tabernacle Church grounds maintenance, Wotton In Bloom hanging baskets, Wotton Library, and the free use of its buildings for community events such as Town Hall Teas.
The town also pays for CCTVs, defibrillators, the historic Tolsey Clock and supports Conygre Woods, Wotton Hill Clump, the rebuild of the Old Town Toilets, St Mary’s Church Burial Ground, Holywell Leaze nature and picnic area.
“We don’t get money from central government and the district council doesn’t give us any subsidies and there are no large housing developments to offset that council tax,” the clerk added.
“We don’t own hotels or businesses, car parks which have got fees and charges attached. We’ve got very limited income.”
Stroud Town Council say their budget for the next 12 months will be £1,179,513 and will cover their core services and fund a series of important projects.
A total of £1,072,385 will be funded through council tax which equates to £243.82 for a band D household – an increase of 43 pence a week and up more than 10 per cent since last year.
Their projects include the continued improvement of the town’s play areas. New play equipment has already been installed in many of the town’s parks.
“Recently, new fencing and a slow-closing gate were installed at the Leazes, in response to concerns from members of the public about the open entrance,” a spokesperson said.
“The council is currently working on much-needed renovations to the playground in Park Gardens.
“The charity Allsorts has partnered with us to assist with accessibility plans for play equipment and outdoor spaces for children and families with additional needs and disabilities. These works will begin soon.”
The council has also been consulting with local groups about developing the old Locking Hill surgery site.
The intention is for the refurbished building to house the council offices and become a community resource, providing a permanent space for groups and services.
“The majority of Stroud Town Council’s funding comes from council tax, but we do also receive small amounts of income from the cemetery, grants and community infrastructure levy,” town council chief executive officer Helen Bojaniwska added.
“On top of their council tax income, Stroud District Council also receives significant funding from central government and retains all of the income from the car parks in Stroud, none of which comes to the town council.”
The authority which takes the lion’s share of income from council tax bills is Gloucestershire County Council. Shire Hall agreed yesterday to increase their proportion of tax for a band D property bill by 4.99 per cent to £1,679.65.
The total bill also includes Gloucestershire Constabulary’s precept which is rising by 4.5 per cent. For a band D home, this will see the yearly bill for policing rise by £14 from £308 to £322.