Published: 13 Jan 26
At its January meeting, Wilton Town Council agreed the budget for the 2026/27 financial year. As part of this decision, the Council carefully reviewed the needs of the town and the investment required to maintain and improve local facilities.
Wilton Town Council has set out an ambitious programme of work for the year ahead, aimed at enhancing key community assets and ensuring they remain safe, accessible, and fit for purpose. To deliver these improvements, an increase in the Parish Precept will be required.
Since 2020, the annual Parish Precept has risen by just 4.6% in total—significantly below inflation during this period. While this approach has helped limit increases for households, it has also meant that the Council has increasingly relied on its reserves to fund essential maintenance. Continuing to draw on reserves at this level would not be sustainable and would risk both future projects and ongoing upkeep.
The planned programme for 2026/27 includes:
• A full refurbishment of the public toilets in Market Square
• Improvements to the Castle Meadow Pavilion, including resurfacing the car park and new lighting
• A review of the Wilton’s Christmas lights to seek enhancements for the 2026 scheme
• A redesign of the Town Council’s website to improve accessibility and resident/community communication
Longer-term plans also include improvements to other important community facilities such as the cemetery and Council offices.
To enable these investments, the Town Council will be increasing the Parish Precept by £146,462, which equates to an additional £1.77 per week for a Band D household.
We fully recognise that many households are continuing to feel the impact of cost of living pressures, and the Council is acutely aware that any increase in household expenditure is difficult. This decision was therefore made with considerable care. However, the Council also has a collective responsibility to ensure that Wilton’s facilities and services remain sustainable for the long term. Investing now helps protect the town’s infrastructure, supports community wellbeing, and ensures that future generations continue to benefit from well-maintained public spaces and reliable Council services.
The Council believes that these projects—alongside ongoing maintenance across all Council-managed sites—will bring lasting value to residents, businesses, and visitors, supporting the continued growth and vitality of Wilton.
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