The Parish Council’s precept (our share of the Council Tax bill) has increased by 12% — not 14.
The rise looks like 13–14% per household because the total number of chargeable homes in the village has gone down slightly. This means the cost per household is spread across fewer properties. The village hasn’t lost any houses, the Council Tax Base can fall for many normal reasons including more single-person discounts, exemptions, temporary exemptions, modifications and extensions. WNC calculate this figure.

✅ What does this mean in real life?

The Band D contribution goes from £92.98 to £106.87,
which is £13.89 more for the whole year — about £1.15 per month.

✅ Why has the Parish Precept increased?

🔹 1. Unavoidable rising costs

Including:

National Local Government pay increases
Higher employer NI
Insurance, compliance and audit costs
IT and health & safety requirements

These aren’t optional — the Parish is legally required to budget for them.

🔹 2. Maintenance of large village spaces

Brixworth has extensive open spaces, trees, hedges, play areas and parks.
Costs for contracted maintenance, equipment, van lease, fuel and repairs have all risen.

🔹 3. Investment in village projects – enhancing existing and adding services to Brixworth

The projects budget has increased to fund:

Repairs and resurfacing, such as the Village Hall Car Park.
Improving existing and looking to bring new community facilities, such as Men’s Sheds, Spratton Road Wellbeing Park & Existing Recreational Grounds, continuing village beatification works.
Supporting local events and activities, such as the Youth Council and the upcoming MND Party in the Park.

🔹 4. Legal requirement to keep reserves at safe levels

The Parish must keep approx. 6-12 months’ operating costs in reserve to remain financially stable and operational — this prevents even larger future increases.

🔹 5. Limited alternative income

Most income streams (rents, grants, CIL, S106, interest) are static or falling, meaning the precept is the only reliable way to maintain services without cuts.

✅ Understanding Your Actual Council Tax Bill

The Parish Council is only one very small part of your total Council Tax.
The majority goes to: