Neston Town Council Precept Announcement 2026-2027
Neston Town Councillors have been working hard to secure the correct budget package for the upcoming financial year 2026/2027. At the meeting held on the evening of Tuesday 20th January 2026, the Town Council determined the budget which will be taken forward into the new financial year from 1st April 2026. At the meeting, three different potential percentage-rise options were presented for members to consider, and the impacts these potential percentage rises could have on Neston residents: 5.8%, 6.8% and 7.9%, when rounded up to one decimal place.
During the latter months of 2025, all council committees worked through their figures and strategically planned their budget requirements in detail, before submitting their requests to the Finance & Administration Committee, where meetings took place in both in November and December to scrutinise the proposals. With the taxbase figure for Neston being confirmed by Cheshire West & Chester Council in mid-December, this added an extra layer of financial scrutiny to the figures, to ensure complete accuracy and an informed decision-making process. In order to make accurate and informed decisions at Full Council, members of the Finance & Administration Committee held an additional working group meeting in early January to analyse the three different percentage rise options and the effect these could have on Neston residents’ council tax. This opportunity also allowed councillors to fully appreciate how a single percentage figure can affect the amount of funding the council requests and receives.
During the Full Council budget meeting, there was a mixed response from councillors on the proposed figure of a 7.9% rise, with nine members voting for the higher amount, and four members voting against, out of a total of thirteen councillors present. The proposal was carried. In Neston, the lower property bands A to D make up just under 83% of the number of properties in the town. This means that in 2026/27, only 17% of properties will pay more than £83.31 for Neston Town Council’s total portion of the council tax bill over the next 12 months. This is an increase of £6.07, or 51p per month, compared to last year.
Neston Town Councillors are not paid for their work and all of their council meetings and duties are undertaken on a voluntary basis. Neston Town Council manages the Town Hall and Market Square, the Neston Friday Market, three local allotment sites in Raby Park Road, Marshlands Road and The Ropewalk, as well as floral decorations and the town’s Christmas lights displays in both Neston and Parkgate. Neston Town Council currently has one remaining councillor vacancy in the Neston Ward and you can join us by submitting your co-option application prior to the deadline of 9th March 2026. For more information on the casual vacancy please visit our website: https://nestontowncouncil.gov.uk/make-a-change-become-a-local-councillor-for-neston-3/ or call the Council offices on Tel: 0151 336 3840.
The Town Council plans to deliver a number of special projects in the new financial year and remains committed to upgrading and preserving the Town Hall for its residents and hirers. There is a commitment to both renew and increase the Christmas lighting displays on offer this year. Neston Town Council will now be heading into 2026/2027 in a stronger financial position than it has since before the pandemic. The Town Council will continue to offer community grants and donations to charitable groups and local organisations in the town for the benefit of its residents. Neston Town Council remains committed to working hard to help to create an environmentally sustainable and thriving market town for Neston’s residents, businesses and visitors by fostering a strong community spirit and improving and increasing the range of locally run services. Helping to support a town its residents can be proud of.
The Mayor of Neston, Cllr Simon Davies stands by the marginal increase, stating, “We have kept Neston Town Council’s proportion of the council tax bill as low as we could, whilst still meeting the needs of the organisation and allocating funds to pursue additional projects and priorities that we know our residents support, such as a new Christmas lighting scheme for the Christmas season 2026. I look forward to the year ahead and seeing progress with these bigger projects.”
Residents on low incomes, or benefits, can apply for Council Tax Reduction or support to help reduce their bill; this is regardless of whether you rent or own your home. Further discounts include 25% off for living alone, 50% for specific cases, or reductions due to disabilities. If you are struggling to pay your council tax or you need financial support, please contact Cheshire West & Chester Council for help.
Telephone: 0300 123 7022. You can call this number if you have received a final notice and cannot pay your bill in full, or to discuss payment options if you are struggling to pay.
Alternatively, for more information, click HERE