Precept & Budget

The Parish Council is required by law to prepare an annual budget in order to calculate its precept requirement. The budget must give details of planned expenditure for the coming financial year ensuring that financial resources are aligned to the priorities of the Council. As your first tier of local government, Abbots Langley Parish Council is keen to provide local services that meet the needs of local residents.

Abbots Langley Parish Council owns and manages a wide range of facilities on behalf of the Parish including a number of venues for hire, buildings and pavilions leased to local organisations. The Council also manage a number of open spaces, parks and play areas, pitches and multi-use games areas (MUGAs), allotments, litter and dog bins, notice boards, and bus shelters across the Parish including repair and maintenance due to vandalism or normal wear and tear. More information on the properties managed by the Council and services provided is available on this website.

This coming year is expected to bring additional pressures due to recent increases in the cost of living and on-going concerns regarding inflation and a possible recession. In particular the rising costs of energy, fuel and maintenance supplies has already impacted Council expenditure. As a result of this, the Council have been carefully reviewing the impact of the economic difficulties whilst setting the 2023/24 budget.

The Parish Council’s 2023/24 budget totals £1,077,218. More information on the budget is available for download below.

Each year, the Parish Council calculates the amount of money needed to provide its services and planned projects and then calculates and deducts the income which it expects to receive from other sources such as bank interest, external grants, hire charges, etc. The remaining balance provides a calculated expenditure shortfall showing the estimated revenue required to provide services and any capital projects and reserves which are planned for the year ahead. This shortfall is called the precept.

What is a Precept?

The precept is the Parish Council’s share of the Council Tax collected by Three Rivers District Council. The precept fills the gap between the Parish Council’s planned expenditure and its estimated income. Parish Councils do not receive any direct funding from central government and therefore the precept is a very important part of the Parish Council’s income.

Abbots Langley Parish Council works hard to ensure that it continues to provide core facilities and services to residents on the Parish while remaining mindful of the financial effect.

What will it cost per average household (Band D)?

Annual cost per household from 1^st April 2023

• £108.94 per year
• £2.09 per week

This represents an increase of £9.70 per year / 19p per week.

Budget Priorities 2023/24

The Council has the following on-going aims:

• Service Quality – To deliver the highest quality service for the residents of the Parish within approved budget
• Income / Expenditure Management – To safeguard public money entrusted to the Parish Council and secure high quality and value for money.
• Sustainability – To find ways to increase sustainability and minimise impact to the environment.

In 2023/24, the Council plans to undertake a number of key projects, including:

• Continue to provide support for a wide range of community events, and hold a celebration event to mark the King’s Coronation
• Continue to support the work of the Neighbourhood Steering Committee to produce a draft Neighbourhood Plan for Abbots Langley Parish
• Continue to support a range of community groups through small and larger financial grant schemes that contribute to and support life in the Parish
• Continue to support the development of Primrose Hill Orchard (part of the Queen’s Green Canopy) into an established orchard over the next 4 years
• Installation of an information board in Kitters Green to call attention to its rich history
• Installation of additional water fountains in Primrose Hill and Bedmond play areas
• Resurfacing of Manor House natural footpath (Dellmeadow to Standfield)
• Resurfacing and widening of Primrose Hill footpath (Primrose Hill to Grand Union Canal) to improve accessibility
• Undertake works to improve the sustainability of Council offices and venues

The Council will also allocate savings towards potential future projects, including:

• Replacement of other petrol engine Works vehicles with electric vehicles
• Repaving of footpath from Manor Lodge car park to Manor House MUGA to improve access for all residents and mobility scooters
• Enhancement of existing MUGA facility in Bedmond to support additional sports
• Improvements to Council properties to reduce carbon footprint and improve access for the disabled.