COUNCILLORS have signed off a ‘modest’ two per cent increase to Farnham Town Council’s share of the council tax bill - the equivalent of just over 2p per week for an average Band D household.

The increase will see the council’s precept set at £1,035,819 for 2017/18, to fund services including cemeteries, allotment sites, CCTV, a popular programme of community events and Farnham in Bloom.

The rise will also allow for a £10,000 increase in the provision for grants for services provided by the voluntary and community sector. This includes the Farnham Hoppa service, which supports vulnerable elderly and other residents with a dial-a-ride service. 

In addition, a sum has been included to allow the town council to support or take on responsibility for services currently provided by Waverley Borough Council or Surrey County Council.

It comes just a week after Surrey County Council announced a proposed 15 per cent hike to its lion’s share of the council tax bill last week, which by law must be put to Surrey’s voting public in a referendum on May 4.

As a result, in combination with other proposed increases by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey (1.99 per cent) and Waverley (£5 per Band D equivalent household), it means the average Band D household in Farnham could see its annual tax bill increase by £200.82 (12 per cent) this April.

Speaking at the full council meeting on Thursday, January 26, Farnham Town Council leader Carole Cockburn said: “Financial pressures have seen a paring back of a number of services at county and district level so that year on year savings could be made.

“Farnham Town Council has taken a pro-active approach and has offered to take on additional services or to provide a top-up service, where residents have raised concerns about the existing service provision.

“We are always mindful of the pressures on the finances of our residents and we do what we can to raise revenue from our services and from sponsorship.

“Over the last year, Farnham Town Council has continued to make efficiency savings by renegotiating prices for contracts and by seeking to get more for the same.

“This process will continue and has allowed a number of inflationary pressures to be absorbed from within our existing budgets.”

Mrs Cockburn added the town council has also taken responsibility for elements of environmental work on behalf of the county council and increased cleaning in the town centre to enhance what is done by Waverley.

“We know from feedback from residents that they care passionately about the state of our streets,” she continued.

“Farnham Town Council would very much like to take on the town centre street cleaning contract as we believe we could deliver better value for taxpayers and a more responsive service. This is an area we hope to explore further in the next year.”

She also thanked the large number of local businesses who support the costs of organising events and projects such as Farnham in Bloom, as well as all the volunteers “who give thousands of hours each year to make Farnham a better place for all”.

Council tax bills for 2017/18 will be received by households during the next few weeks.