Sidmouth Town Council shows increased commitment to community services with new responsibilities and largest ever grant support in 2025/26 budget
‘Supporting our vibrant community whilst delivering additional services’, sums up Sidmouth Town Council’s budget for the next financial year. Whilst setting its budget and maintaining an already increased level of service provision and activities, the Town Council is going to be taking on Long Park Toilets from East Devon District Council and also assisting local organisations with a record level of grant allocations.
The precept, which is the Town Council’s share of the Council Tax, was approved by Councillors on Monday 20 January 2025. In order to continue to provide local services for its residents, businesses, visitors and support organisations, the authority has agreed to an increase, for 2024/25 in its overall precept, of £3.21 a year, or 6.2p a week for an average Band D property. The increase means the Town Council’s portion of the annual Council Tax bill for a Band D property, will rise by 3.1% and be £105.91 a year.
In setting the annual budget, Members highlighted the growing number of services provided by Sidmouth Town Council and support to community organisations. In line with many other town councils across the country, the Council continues to take on more responsibilities than ever before with Long Park Toilets being taken on by the Town Council, preventing their otherwise closure. Sidmouth Town Council will continue to provide many local services both statutory and discretionary such as the other public conveniences on the seafront, water bottle filling fountains which are provided on the Esplanade, Market Place and at Jacobs Ladder, and support for young people in the community. The Council will continue to complement the work of the District and County Council to ensure that flower beds are colourful and attractive and the highway verges it manages are kept clean and maintained.
While setting its budget for 2025/26, the Council also agreed to award a record level of support to 25 community organisations across the Sid Valley, helping to provide opportunities for both younger and older residents with sports and social clubs, the arts, educational and environmental groups. The increased level of support recognises the vital role of voluntary organisations in improving residents’ quality of life, and the continuing difficulties many face in securing alternative sources of funding.
A vibrant and balanced economy, supported through the promotion of our High Street and of responsible, sustainable tourism, remains a key aim for the Town Council, with continued support for major festivals such as Sidmouth Folk Festival, Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival and Sidmouth Regatta together with annual support for Christmas Lights, Sidmouth in Bloom and Sid Valley Help. Local community events that entertain and inspire both residents and visitors alike also continue to receive support such as Sidmouth Science Festival, Sea Fest and Sidmouth Walking Festival.
The Chair of the Town Council, Councillor Chris Lockyear commented “In setting its budget for next year I am pleased that the Council has not only been able to expand its own services but also help so many of the extraordinary voluntary organisations across the community that make the Sid Valley such a special place to live and visit.”
