2025-26 Budget and Precept Bubbenhall Parish Council

At the Parish Council meeting held on 28^th January 2025, the Parish Council approved a precept of £20,000.  This equates to an increase of £3.64per year for a Band D property.

Councillors worked hard to keep the precept as low as possible; however, two significant factors made this particularly challenging:

• Reduction in the Council Tax Base: The Council Tax Base for the Parish has decreased, which is an unusual occurrence.  This reduction impacts the distribution of the precept and can happen for reasons outlined in the article below.
• Establishment of a Warm Hub, known as the Cosy Café at the Village Hall, which meets weekly on a Thursday.

What is the Parish Council Precept?
The Parish Council Precept is the main income source for the Parish Council, included in your Council Tax bill. Each year, the Parish Council decides the amount needed for services, community facilities, and local projects, and submits it to Warwick District Council, which adds it to the Council Tax charges.
Currently there is no cap on the amount that Parish Councils can raise via their precept (Borough Councils and County Councils are capped).

Calculation of the Precept

The Parish Council methodically examines its budgetary needs for the forthcoming financial year, considering the following factors:

• Costs associated with the operation and upkeep of local services, such as the playing field and public spaces.
• Planned enhancements or new initiatives.
• Contingency funds allocated for unforeseen expenditures.

Upon finalising the total budget, this amount is then divided by the Council Tax Base.

What is the Council Tax Base? The Council Tax Base represents the number of taxable households in the Parish, adjusted for example:

• Discounts (e.g., single-person households)
• Exemptions (e.g., new empty homes, student accommodations etc)
• Differences in Council Tax banding

The result is a figure that represents the ‘effective number of properties’ in the Parish for tax purposes.  By dividing the total precept by the Council Tax Base, the Parish Council determines the amount each household will contribute.

Why is the Precept Important? The precept allows the Parish Council to:

• Provide services that address local needs.
• Finance enhancements in the community.
• Preserve and manage communal assets.

How Does It Affect Residents? The Parish Council Precept appears as part of the annual Council Tax bill for residents. The amount may vary slightly depending on the property’s Council Tax band, and the contribution supports services and facilities for the local community.

If you have questions about the precept or how it is used, please email the clerk at clerk@bubbenhallparish.gov,uk