Template:Courier-MAR-25-4

From Claygate

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY IN VILLAGE FUNDING

The modest annual levy of about £16 per household enables Claygate Parish Council to support village improvements, such as maintenance of prime highway garden sites, and ensures Claygate is part of the local government system.

The Parish Council Precept rises by just 2 per cent this year, which means that from April a Band D equivalent property will pay £16.17 a year. This follows a significant rise in the precept of 12 per cent in 2024, which was needed to make up for no rises in the previous eight years. All the money collected for the Parish Precept is spent in Claygate, by Claygate residents, for Claygate residents.

The precept is an annual levy raised on all council taxpayers and based on the value of their property and their means. It is separate from the council tax which goes to Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council, and the levy raised by Surrey Police.

HOW WILL THIS MONEY BE SPENT?

For 2025/26, the Parish Council budget is £61,305 (funded solely via the precept, with no release from reserves as happened last year). This is £4,099 lower than 2024/25, and has been allocated as follows:

  • £32,949 covers the running of the Parish Council, including the Clerk’s salary, councillor training, and insurance.
  • A full contribution to council reserves in 2024 to fund the Parish Council elections in May 2027, due to good cost control last year.
  • £9,586 to Environment, Highways and Transportation. This covers additional maintenance of six prime Village Highway Garden Sites over and above those that Surrey County Council provides for, including The Firs verge, The Green and the Foley Road Triangle, as well as summer and winter hanging baskets (pictured right) and trough displays.
  • £8,367 to Grants and Public Projects, which is £3,063 more than last year and supports a stance taken by the Parish Council to contribute as much as possible directly to the local community.
  • £2,000 on a Shops and Businesses Survey to understand the views and needs of local shop owners following the Claygate: The Way Forward initiative and also a number of recent representations by local businesses to the Parish Council. (See Page 8)
  • £5,103 on communications, which is an £897 reduction and includes the two Courier Newsletter publications and Parish Council website improvements.
  • £3,300 on Planning, which is a rise of £1,300 and recognises the unique challenges in the current planning environment due to changes in government policy. This money allows councillors to access consultants (if required) to support Green Belt protection efforts.

AWARDS TO COMMUNITY PROJECTS

The Parish Council can support local projects that benefit the village by either awarding grants from its budget, or via the Community Infrastructure Levy, which Elmbridge Borough Council, as the local planning authority, is able to charge on specific new building development. Fifteen per cent of this levy is paid to the Parish Council by Elmbridge for developments in the infrastructure of the village that meet the requirements. This money can be spent on projects that benefit the village but that would not normally be covered by the precept or other funding sources.

This year, the Parish Council has made grants to support the following community projects:

  • £10,679 to the Claygate Village Hall Association towards new curtains and chairs for the Village Hall. (See Page 11)
  • £480 to Claygate Village Associa􀀣on towards the cost of the stage at the Christmas lights event on The Parade.
  • £480 to the Claygate Village Association towards the cost of the Christmas tree on The Green.
  • £16,050 to Claygate Primary School towards drainage for reinstatement of its playing field (pictured above).
  • £6,000 to the Claygate Youth Hub towards the cost of a new quiet space.
  • £187 to the CVA towards the cost of the Get Involved Day. (see Page 12)
  • £9,800 has been allocated to the Holy Trinity Church Way Maker project.
  • Unfortunately, it has not been possible to pay the £50,000 CIL funding allocated to The Winning Horse project due to the government closing the Community Ownership Fund. The Winning Horse pub project team is now seeking new funding. (See Page 5)

Any local group or organisation planning a project to benefit the local community might be eligible for a Parish Council grant or Community Infrastructure Levy support. Please visit the council’s website claygateparishcouncil.gov.uk or contact the Parish Clerk at clerk@claygateparishcouncil.gov.uk to find out more.

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