Farnham Town Council is to ask households for an extra £3.45 per year in council tax on average in 2023/24, equivalent to an increase of 4.94 per cent.

This is less than half the current rate of inflation and represents less than a penny a day on top of current bills, taking the town council’s share of the tax bill for an average Band D home up to £73.21.

This will raise £1,315,900 towards the council’s total budget of £1,643,750, with the shortfall to be met by income from council events and other services such as cemeteries, £20,000 savings on staffing and agency costs and the use of £19,000 of reserves.

The council’s budget report, presented at last Thursday’s budget-setting meeting, described these tax demands – also known as the 'precept' – as “a prudent, fair and reasonable approach that would support local residents at a difficult time”.

Farnham Town Council’s precept accounts for just a fraction of residents’ total council tax bill in the town.

Of the £2,187.51 bill paid by Band D taxpayers in Farnham in 2022/23, 74 per cent went to Surrey County Council, 14 per cent to the Police & Crime Commissioner, nine per cent to Waverley Borough Council and three per cent to the town council.

Farnham Town Council is responsible for some key services in the town such as parks and cemetery maintenance, and also runs many community events such as the Christmas lights switch-on, farmers markets and Music in the Meadow.

The council also acts as the voice of Farnham in Waverley, representing the town on matters such as town development and planning.

Find a copy of the town council's full budget report here.