This Council's costs include:

Facilities and Assets (including Allotments, West Mersea Park, four Car Parks, four Public Toilets)
The Glebe sports fields and pavilions
Council Offices and Groundstaff depot
Personnel (six employees)
Cemeteries (Barfield Road, Firs Road and Feldy View Woodland, St Peter's and St Paul's Parish Churchyard)
Communications
Printing, Postage and Stationery
Rent and Rates
Repairs and Maintenance
Insurance, Subscriptions and Training
Overheads and Admin
West Mersea Neighbourhood Plan

As with previous financial years West Mersea Town Council has budgeted in 2021/22 to continue its programme of much needed improvements to its estate and facilities; at the same time introducing provision for a part-time litter picker and a fund to assist West Mersea charities that may be struggling to survive under the on-going Covid-19 restrictions. This budgeted spend and anticipated income has allowed us to maintain the precept at the 2020/21 level.

Carried forward from the 2020/21 budget is some £28,500 of unspent income which has been earmarked for specific projects in the 2021/22 budget. In addition parking charges in all four of our car parks have been increased which we anticipate will provide an income over expenditure of some £64,000, an increase of £24,000 over the 2020/21 budget. At the end of this financial year we anticipate strengthening our reserves by some £50,000 to cover current liabilities in respect of pre-paid burial fees, and to go towards a sinking fund for additional cemetery space, at some point in the future.

The Council is conscious of the need to future-proof its financial position by strengthening reserves in preparation for the possible introduction of Referendum Rules by HMG restricting future precept increases (deferred for 2021/22). In addition to provide for increased costs from the potential devolution of certain services from Essex County Council to parishes. Failure by West Mersea Town Council to take appropriate action now would inevitably jeopardise future services and the general well-being of its open spaces and facilities.

Exceptional expenditure items in the forthcoming year are (a) up-grade to our permissive footpath alongside Feldy, (b) continued work on improving our tree stock and planting new trees / hedges, (c) repairing the boardwalk (d) improvements to Firs Road and Feldy cemeteries (e) contribution to the costs of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group (f) new seat in the Sensory Garden (g) up-graded pay machines in two car parks (h) improvements to Seaview and Willoughby car parks and (i) height barrier for Victoria Esplanade car park.

As always residents are most welcome to attend the 3 weekly Council Meetings (currently via Zoom) when questions may be asked during the public session. Agendas are posted on the Council website. The public are also welcome to attend the various committee meetings which are periodically announced. To view the meetings page: click here

Posted February 2021