Leigh-on-Sea Town Council - Council Tax 2022-23

We appreciate that households within the Leigh Town Council 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. Once again, we have worked hard to ensure that we continue to provide our core facilities and services to residents but remain mindful of the financial effect. At the same time, we have not lost sight of our Strategic Plan, where the overarching aspiration is to improve the quality of town life. Whilst we were able to freeze last year’s precept, there will be a slight increase this year of 0.71% (the equivalent of a 36p rise for a Band D rating). The 2022/23 budget will provide the following:

• 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 to help influence the shape of the future of Leigh
• 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 and 17 acres of Allotment sites
• provision of a new community facility (to be announced later in the year)
• community engagement with our residents
• a community news magazine twice a year and a newsletter in the local press twice a year
• a Community Day and Big Lunch Jubilee Picnic
• environment friendly bunting workshops to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee
• fortnightly Over 60’s Social Lunch Club to combat isolation in our community
• Christmas Lights and Library Gardens Festive Christmas 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
• monthly and seasonal Farmers’ 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
• launch of our ‘Chatty Bench’ initiative to help those that feel socially isolated
• a local employer of 13 staff to facilitate and manage all Council services
• a facilitator of a community café which is a local employer of staff
• 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 (to be introduced later in the year)
• summer hanging flower baskets in various locations
• repair of the tidal paddling pool at Bell Wharf Beach

Leigh-on-Sea Town Council expenditure plans 2022-23