Leigh Town Council appreciates that households within our boundary pay an additional Council tax. However, this element of the Council tax is the only portion that is truly spent within the Leigh Town Council area and therefore is for the absolute benefit of our residents. We continue to work hard to ensure that we provide our core facilities and services to residents at a high standard and remain mindful of the financial effect. We have not lost sight of our Strategic Plan, where the overarching aspiration is to improve the quality of town life.
Through careful budgeting we are delighted to be able to reduce the precept this year to the same as it was in 2020/21 without affecting any facilities or services that we provide. The reduction is -0.71% (the equivalent of 36p less for a Band D rating). The 2023/24 budget will provide the following:
What is your money spent on?
- help, support and provide information for our residents on a huge range of issues
- maintain our role as statutory consultee on planning, highways and licensing issues
- working with and supporting volunteers and community partners/groups
- helping to protect the environment and heritage of Leigh
- undertaking Community Infrastructure Levy projects for the benefit of Leigh and our residents
- provision of a Special Constables programme for the Leigh Town Council area
- funding a school crossing patrol
- providing and managing community facilities in particular the Community Centre, Skate Park, Strand Wharf, Bell Wharf Beach paddling pool, 17 acres of Allotment sites and new for 2023/24 the café within the community centre
- community engagement with our residents using various methods - face to face, social media, websites and a new community engagement app
- a community news magazine twice a year and a newsletter in the local press twice a year
- events and activities throughout the year in the Community Centre and Town
- christmas programme of events and activities to engage all ages
- fortnightly Over 60’s Social Lunch Club to combat isolation in our community
- christmas lights and Library Gardens christmas tree and displays
- supporting the Arts in Leigh with our Art Wall exhibitions, Artist in Residency Programme and Listening Room events at Leigh Community Centre
- promotion of initiatives and incentives to help local businesses and tourism in the town
- representing our residents to other authorities
- seasonal food and craft markets at Leigh Community Centre
- provision of weekly Youth Clubs and a monthly Youth Forum at Leigh Community Centre
- a Council run Community Centre Children’s’ Holiday Programme
- a Community Trips Scheme supporting elderly residents and providing social contact
- a local employer of 21 staff to facilitate and manage all Council services, the Community Centre and café
- continue with repairs and improvements at the Community Centre
- host the Annual Town Community Meeting
- Grant Award Fund to support the work of other community groups and people in the Leigh Town Council area
- sun cream dispenser project at Bell Wharf Beach
- summer hanging flower baskets in various locations
- refurbishment of the tidal paddling pool at Bell Wharf Beach
- develop a new strategic plan for 2023-2028
- fund the cost of any elections for Leigh Town Council Wards
Leigh-on-Sea Town Council expenditure plans 2023-24
| Area | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Information and Support Services | 157,400 |
| Finance and Governance | 33,750 |
| Community Facilities | 241,000 |
| Health and Wellbeing programme | 46,900 |
| Community programmes | 11,200 |
| Allotments | 31,300 |
| Environment facilities/services | 42,000 |
| Planning and Licensing | 15,750 |
| Capital and Strategic Projects | 30,000 |
| Increase to General Reserves | 10,326 |
| Finance and Governance | (1,250) |
| Community Facilities | (131,250) |
| Health and Wellbeing programme | (5,000) |
| Allotments Income | (20,070) |
| Total Precept 2023-24 | 462,056 |