About Your Council Tax Precept

Town council precepts
The town council is funded by part of the Council Tax known as a precept as well as by the income it generates.

How the precept is calculated
For more details on how the precept is calculated visit Braintree District Council’s website.

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On Monday 6th January, Witham Town Council unanimously approved the town's share of the council tax for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The decision, supported by all parties, will see a modest increase of 15p per week for band D properties, bringing the total cost to £2.14 per week for all services provided by the Town Council.
Councillor Phil Barlow, Leader of Witham Town Council, emphasised the value residents receive: "Every penny raised is spent locally, ensuring Witham remains a safe, enjoyable, and healthy place for all our residents. At just over £2 a week, we offer exceptional value for the wide range of services we provide."
The precept will fund essential services and community initiatives, including:

• Maintenance of the Town Hall, which houses vital services such as the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic and a Community Banking Hub.

• Operation of the Information Centre, providing assistance to residents

• Management of allotments

• Upkeep of Whetmead Nature Reserve, James Cooke Wood, the Closed Churchyard, and the River Walk

• Witham's floral displays and Christmas light decorations

• Expanded free community events calendar, including commemorations for the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day

• Continued support for community safety initiatives, including CCTV cameras, Witham Special Constabulary and the Street Warden program

• Town Park toilets (the rest of the park is owned and managed by Braintree District Council)

• Some 60+ streetlights that the Council own and operate

• Grants to organisations such as Citizens Advice and The Witham Carnival

The Council is particularly focused on supporting vulnerable residents and those less able to afford activities, reflected in the increased number of free events planned for the coming year.
Residents are invited to attend the annual public meeting in April, where councillors will provide a detailed overview of the Council's activities and plans for the future. For more information, visit the Town Council website, refer to the Witham Voice, or visit the Town Hall.