Council Tax Explained for North Walsham Residents

The portion of council tax allocated to North Walsham Town Council (NWTC) represents just 5% of the total bill paid by residents. The remaining 95% is made up of charges from Norfolk County Council, North Norfolk District Council, and the Police Precept.

For the coming financial year, NWTC has approved a 6.9% increase in its share of the council tax. For a Band D property, this increase amounts to approximately £7 per year (or around 58p per month). This is the first increase in the town council’s share in six years.

The rise is necessary to help meet increasing operational costs associated with maintaining and improving key services and amenities in the town. While reserve funds have been used in previous years to manage costs, it is not sustainable to rely on reserves each year to cover rising expenses.

The additional funding will help ensure existing services can continue while also supporting some new investments for the town.

The town council is responsible for a wide range of local facilities and community support, including but not limited to:

• Parks and open spaces across town

• Cemeteries and burial services

• Street lighting

• CCTV systems

• The Market Cross

• Public benches

• Grants and donations to local community organisations

• Bus shelters, including the Travel Hub

• Verge cutting

• Allotment maintenance

• Play equipment

• Thursday and monthly Sunday Market

• Civic events and community activities

During the last financial year, reserve funds were used to support several improvements across the town, including:

• Improved access to the Trackside Path

• Upgrades to facilities at Bacton Road Cemetery

• A programme of overdue tree maintenance

• Replacement of ageing streetlights

• Investment in new equipment for the council’s Grounds Team

These investments aim to ensure North Walsham’s public spaces and facilities remain safe, accessible, and well maintained for residents and visitors alike.