Annual Budget & Precept

Understanding the Town Council’s Budget and Precept

Edenbridge Town Council wants residents to understand how our budget works and how your council tax supports local services. Each year, we publish our draft budget and the proposed Precept for the upcoming financial year (see bottom of page).

What is the Precept?

The Precept is the portion of your council tax that funds the services provided by Edenbridge Town Council. It reflects how much we need from residents to cover our planned spending.

How the Budget is prepared

Budget planning for the next financial year begins in September or October. Here’s how the process works:

1. Initial review – The Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer (RFO), along with the Finance Committee’s Chair and Vice-Chair, review the Council’s income, expenses, reserves, and current budgets.

2. Project planning – The Forward Planning Steering Group looks at upcoming projects and how they may affect the Precept.

3. Draft Budget – The Finance Committee reviews the Council’s financial position and prepares a draft budget with a recommended Precept.

4. Council approval – The draft budget and Precept go to the full Council in December for consideration. Once approved, the draft is published here on the Council website.

5. Final decision – At the January Council meeting, the budget and Precept for the new financial year are confirmed.

This process ensures that residents can see how the Council plans its spending and how your council tax contributes to local services.