The finance committee looks at allocating the funds available to the parish. We consider the merit and cost-effectiveness of different projects and proposals, including those mooted by other committees. We propose, monitor and implement a financial plan for the parish to ensure a sustainable future for community services.
The committee is also responsible for creating and amending policies and any staffing or HR matters.
We actively seek to control or reduce costs for our community whilst offering a continued high level of service.
The Parish Council continues to maintain a number of public areas within the villages of Hodson, Chiseldon, Badbury and Draycott Foliat to a high standard, tailoring services to where they are most needed. This maintenance includes grass cutting of public areas; the supply, maintenance and emptying of rubbish and dog waste bins; litter picking; clearing of fly tipping; specific areas of hedge cutting; some pavement maintenance and tree work under certain circumstances.
In addition, based on residents feedback, a number of improvements have been made to the recreation fields to improve drainage to allow play during the winter months, a project will shortly be undertaken to increase parking at the recreation fields and improve the facilities there. The council is also working to put together a fund to replace the recreation hall with a more inclusive asset as well as working to improve the facilities at the allotments. Further, parking pinch-points have been identified within the Parish, and the council is working with the Borough Council to alleviate these problems by increasing the available space allocated to car parking. A project is underway to understand the issues on Norris Close and other areas in the parish such as Castle View Road will follow. The council is also responding to feedback from parishioners regarding speeding through the villages, and the council will trial interactive speed signs, beginning with Hodson Road in the coming months.
The council’s funding is primarily through a precept which forms part of your overall council tax bill. Last year the precept was set at £135,000, and this year we have budgeted for £139,000; a 2.96% increase. In setting this precept, we are required to formulate a budget which is to be approved by the finance committee for recommendation to the Full Parish Council.
This year, we are publishing our draft budget prior to approval so that the general public may comment on it and have their views taken into consideration in the decision making process. The draft budget can be downloaded below. If you would like to make a comment on the draft budget, please contact the Parish Clerk, Mrs Clair Wilkinson, at clerk@chiseldon-pc.gov.uk. The deadline for feedback is 7th November 2018.