No Increase - Ramsgate Town Council’s Precept & Budget for 2022/2023

The budget and precept for 2022/2023 was approved by Ramsgate Town Council at a meeting of the full council on the 2nd February 2022, and the Council is pleased to report that there will be no increase to the precept (the amount payable by the local rate payers); this will remain at £80.64 for a Band D Property (or £1.51 per week) in 2022/2023. Councillors felt strongly that the precept should not be increased at a time when many residents will potentially be affected by several rising household costs.

The following details some of the key points:

• The Council has slowly been building a Reserve that will be sufficient to take forward the aspirations of transforming Radford House (the old Fire Station) into a community centre (external grants will still be sought), and we hope to see real progress with this project this year; appointment of a Project Manager is currently underway. There is also funding available to take forward other projects across the Wards.


• The Council continues its good governance of The Customs House; ensuring that it keeps the building in a good state of repair and small problems don’t become significant problems.


• A capital budget of £20k was approved to improve the composting toilets at some allotment sites.


• There is nearly £145k available for grants (events, community group projects, community services (such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau)).


• £6,250 continues to be put aside for election expenses, so that the £25k needed (set by TDC) for May 2023 doesn’t fall on the precept in one year.


• £25k has been put aside for town beautification.


• £20k has been re-allocated to progress the Neighbourhood Plan.


• £15k has been allocated for Highways Improvement Plan work.


• A review of the job descriptions and salaries is currently underway by the Society of Local Council Clerks; to ensure that staff are paid a fair wage and the job descriptions are suitable for the Council’s requirements.


• A review of the work vehicles will take place, to ensure that suitable vehicles (used by the Technicians) are in use, giving consideration to the Council’s carbon footprint and the technology that’s currently available.


• The Council resolved to pay the Parish Basic Allowance to elected members, at the rate recommended for the size of the Council. This was intended to assist the current members with their duties as elected members, and set a precedent (that has already be set elsewhere in Thanet) so that suitable future Councillors are not put off from running for office because of financial concerns. Please see the “Public Notice: Parish Basic Allowance” on the Council’s website for more information about this allowance.


• £6,000 has been allocated to set up small artisan markets utilising Charlotte Court (this is not intended to replicate or replace the weekly/monthly markets that Thanet District Council has oversight of).

Here is the full budget using summary headings:

INCOME
Balance Brought Forward			£	1,238,248.71
Radford House Bequest			£	142,706.62
Architectural Heritage Fund Grant for Radford House			£	58,300.00
Ringfenced election costs (saving towards May 2023)			£	12,500.00
Precept			£	960,211.12
VAT Refund			£	30,000.00
Bank Interest			£	600.00
Customs House			£	25,200.00
Radford House			£	500.00
Allotments			£	18,200.00
Visitor Information Centre			£	7,000.00
Market Stalls			£	2,000.00
KCC Recharge for Ground Maintenance			£	600.00
Mayoral Events Income (not charity fundraising)			£	500.00
Apprenticeship Government Grant (2/2 Nov)			£	2,000.00
Repayment for Standup Paddle Boards			£	1,500.00
			£	2,500,066.45
EXPENDITURE
VAT Paid			£	30,000.00
Staffing (incl. training, health & safety, recruitment, etc)			£	416,815.40
Radford House			£	28,000.00
Customs House			£	68,400.00
Town Promotion			£	154,200.00
Grants			£	84,600.00
Mayoral & Civic Functions			£	16,000.00
Administration			£	40,024.00
Allotments			£	28,345.00
Democracy			£	18,750.00
Neighbourhood Plan			£	20,000.00
Highways Improvement Plan			£	15,000.00
Parish Allowances (paid to elected members)			£	10,200.00
Charlotte Court			£	7,500.00
Vehicles (Van & Milk Floats)			£	27,500.00
Town Improvements & Open Spaces			£	67,500.00
Radford House Development Project			£	88,300.00
Capital Projects & Asset Acquisitions (incl. Radford House Development)			£	1,100,955.33
Operating Funds to be kept in Reserve (4 months)			£	250,000.00
Misc. Expenditure			£	27,976.72
			£	2,500,066.45

A breakdown of these budgets will be published on our website in due course, and questions about the content are always invited.

Written by:
Miss Laura Fidler,
Town Clerk & RFO