Weston-super-Mare Town Council freezes council tax precept for 2026/27

At a budget meeting held on 19th January 2026, the Labour-led Weston-super-Mare Town Council officially voted for a 0% change to its budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

Despite inflationary pressures, Weston Town Council has successfully maintained its precept at £164 per year for an average Band D property (aside from a minor 14p technical adjustment). This means that for approximately £3.15 per week, the Town Council will continue to deliver many local services valued by local residents.

While many local authorities are being forced to cut services, the 2026/27 town council budget protects and enhances local services, including:

● Continuing to deliver Weston Museum, Milton Road Cemetery, Blakehay Theatre, and the newly refurbished Old Town Quarry

● Maintaining over 20 play areas and parks, including delivering a £300k capital programme to improve several town council owned play areas each year

● Keeping the five Town Council owned public toilets free

● Providing grants to Citizens Advice, YMCA, Somewhere to Go, and continuing the £1k small grants fund for charities

● Emptying town council owned public bins and dog bins, and continuing the town centre vitality partnership project

● Working in partnership with North Somerset Council to fund CCTV provision in Weston, as well as community response officers

● Providing a community events fund, and supporting with armed forces day, remembrance day, Christmas light switch-on, town market and various other initiatives

● Improving the Visit Weston website, and continuing with the visitor information service

● Starting ground works for a concession at Castle Batch play park, and continuing to open the popular Water Adventure Play Park

● Providing notice boards, blue plaques, allotments, and a community fridge amongst many other services

The Labour-led Town Council’s decision to freeze the precept comes as North Somerset Council faces a reported funding gap of over £33 million over the next 4 years. While the unitary authority, responsible for statutory services like social care, is expected to announce council tax rises at their budget meeting in February, the Town Council has moved to freeze their portion of the council tax bill, helping to limit any additional local increases.

Cllr Ciarán Cronnelly, Leader of the Labour Group and Leader of Weston-super-Mare Town Council, said: "At tonight’s Weston-super-Mare Town Council budget meeting town councillors voted for a zero per cent change to the town council’s budget for 2026/27, which means there will be virtually no increase to the precept next financial year and it stays at £164 per year."

“Our budget ensures we continue delivering the ambitious services Weston residents deserve - from improving play areas, continuing to invest in CCTV and community safety, and providing vital support for local charities, among many other services”.