Borough Council sets its 2023/24 budget

Published: Friday, 24 February 2023

Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) has agreed to raise its portion of council tax to ensure key services continue to be protected and delivered to a high standard.

It was decided at Full Council on Thursday 23 February that the annual charge for a Band D property will become £246.66 per month from April 1. This is a 2.99% increase from last year.

OWBC is one of four organisations that raises money through council tax bills, the others being Leicestershire County Council, the police, and the fire authority.

The borough council’s budget priorities this year focus on protecting public services and supporting our most vulnerable residents. However, in 2023-24 the council does plan to spend £579,000 on new projects, which include:

• £510,000 to replace end-of-life fleet vehicles
• £35,000 for a new multi-use sports court at Freer Park, Wigston
• £15,000 for tree works at All Saints and St Wistan’s churchyard
• £7,500 to replace some Christmas lights due for upgrade
• £5,600 for an air quality monitor on Blaby Road
• £5,000 for repairs to the Rolls of Honour in All Saints churchyard.

Cllr Michael Charlesworth, Chair of the council’s Policy, Finance and Development Committee, said: “Every year the council must set a balanced budget and this continues to be a challenging process due to the rising costs we face and the reductions in our funding.

“We remain as committed as ever to protecting and delivering our key public services, providing value for money in everything we do, while also keeping council tax as low as possible for our residents.”

Residents that don’t currently pay council tax by Direct Debit can sign up to do so at www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/directdebit

Residents on low incomes can apply for Local Council Tax Support which gives up to an 85 per cent reduction on the whole council tax bill.