This budget is designed to reflect the current concerns regarding a strain on individuals during this current financial crisis. The budget is a neutral budget whilst allowing projects to continue to the undertaken and improvements made to the community.
The draft budget for 2026/27 is attached. Projects have been allocated £3k but a decision needs to be made as to what the projects will be and the spend levels.
Pay negotiations have begun for the pay award for 26/27 which will take effect 1 April 2026. It is thought that it will be around 5%. Salary and HMRC contributions have been based on these figures.
The Clerk is currently contracted to work 16 hours per month flexibly. To date 20.98 hours overtime have been worked.
Current reserves are as follows as at 1 October 2025
Committed Reserves General Reserves
Total General Reserves £16487
Councils are allowed to have approximately 1 years precept as general reserves.
General reserve approx. £8k
Based on £20k precept
| Committed Reserves | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bootle in Bloom | £0 |
| Woodland Project | £5,000 |
| Lights maintenance | £1,360 |
| Toilets | £10,000 |
| Total | £16,360 |
Ring fenced
| Ring Fenced Reserve | Amount |
|---|---|
| BDSSA | £13,386.44 |
| Community fund | £7,000.00 |
| CCumb3erland | £31,500.00 |
| Total ring fenced | £51,886.44 |
| Total committed reserves | £68,246 |
| Committed Reserves | 25/26 | 26/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Bootle in Bloom | £0 | |
| Woodland Project | £5,000 | £5,000.00 |
| Lights maintenance | £1,360 | accruing £1,860.00 |
| Toilets | £10,000 | £12,000.00 |
| Total | £16,360 | £18,860.00 |
Below are tables showing increases in precept and impact on Band D properties in % and actual £’s
Table 1 increase precept by £1k to £20k (approx. 5% increase or £3.65 per annum)
Table 2 increase precept by £2k to £21k (approx. 10% increase or £7.29 per annum)
Table 3 Increase precept by £3k to £22k (approx. 15% or £10.94 per annum)
Lesley Cooper
Clerk/RFO
| Band | A- * | Band A | Band B | Band C | Band D | Band E | Band F | Band G | Band H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 2026-27 | 40.49 | 48.59 | 56.68 | 64.78 | 72.88 | 89.08 | 105.27 | 121.47 | 145.76 |
| 2025-26 | 38.46 | 46.15 | 53.85 | 61.54 | 69.23 | 84.61 | 100.00 | 115.38 | 138.46 |
| Change | 2.03 | 2.43 | 2.84 | 3.24 | 3.65 | 4.46 | 5.27 | 6.08 | 7.30 |
| Change % | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% | 5.27% |
* Disabled
| Band | A- * | Band A | Band B | Band C | Band D | Band E | Band F | Band G | Band H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 2026-27 | 42.51 | 51.01 | 59.52 | 68.02 | 76.52 | 93.52 | 110.53 | 127.53 | 153.04 |
| 2025-26 | 38.46 | 46.15 | 53.85 | 61.54 | 69.23 | 84.61 | 100.00 | 115.38 | 138.46 |
| Change | 4.05 | 4.86 | 5.67 | 6.48 | 7.29 | 8.91 | 10.53 | 12.15 | 14.58 |
| Change % | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% | 10.53% |
* Disabled
| Band | A- * | Band A | Band B | Band C | Band D | Band E | Band F | Band G | Band H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 2026-27 | 44.54 | 53.45 | 62.35 | 71.26 | 80.17 | 97.99 | 115.80 | 133.62 | 160.34 |
| 2025-26 | 38.46 | 46.15 | 53.85 | 61.54 | 69.23 | 84.61 | 100.00 | 115.38 | 138.46 |
| Change | 6.08 | 7.29 | 8.51 | 9.72 | 10.94 | 13.37 | 15.80 | 18.23 | 21.88 |
| Change % | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% | 15.80% |
* Disabled