Baildon Town Council agreed a precept rise of £3.02 per annum at its meeting in December 2024.

At its meeting in December Baildon Town Council decided to increase the precept to £53.31 from £50.29 starting on 1st April 2025 – a rise of £3.02 per year for the average (Band D) tax payer

Baildon Town Council has maintained the precept with small rises during the previous three years. Through careful financial management, we have managed to absorb most cost pressures. However that has not been possible this year.

Baildon Town Councillors discussed various rising costs including the Employer's National Insurance increase, nationally negotiated pay award and day-to-day operational costs. The Town Council delivers and supports many services and events in Baildon – such as the public toilets, Baildon Library, public benches, Christmas Lights, Neighbourhood Watch and much more. During 2024 there was a review of Bracken Hall Countryside Centre and the Town Council decided that more investment was needed to achieve a wider range of activities, so going forwards, a full-time staff post is being recruited.

Councillors agreed that we wanted to set a budget which reflected the ambition to deliver the range and quality of services we are so proud of for the residents of Baildon. So this 6% rise in the precept, which as stated above, is an increase of £3.02 per year for a Band D council tax payer, is the minimum needed to continue to deliver a range of services and events for the residents of Baildon.

For further details please contact Clerk, Baildon Town Council enquiries@baildontowncouncil.gov.uk, 01274 593169.

Councillor John Turner, Chair of Baildon Town Council

January 2025.