Councillors at Oswestry Town Council met on Wednesday 14 January to set the budget and agree spending plans for 2026/27.
As the town council receives no government funding nor any of the business rates paid locally, it must balance available resources from its share of council tax, known as the precept, and income generation. This income helps deliver local projects and services that residents value, many of which were identified as priorities in a recent community survey.
The 2026/27 budget has been prepared on raising a precept of £815,978, up 39% from £588,315 in 2025/26. Council also agreed a 20% increase in car parking fees and to reintroduce overnight parking charges. This will enable the town council to invest in services that benefit local people whilst maintaining reserves to protect against risk and taking on projects such as the Llwyd Mansion restoration.
Last night’s decision means the annual charge for a Band D property in 2026/27 will be £147.73 compared to £107.07 in 2025/26, an increase of £40.66 annually or 78p per week. For a Band A property, the increase will be £27.10 annually or 52p per week. These figures will be confirmed by Shropshire Council.
Funding has been set aside to support local priorities including:
- Looking after Cae Glas Park
- Investing in services for young people, including a dedicated youth worker
- Grants to support local groups and community organisations
- Grants to support local businesses
- Improving the town centre’s appearance, including reducing empty properties and supporting Oswestry in Bloom
- Events and festivals that bring the community together, including support for the Balloon Carnival
- Investing in the town’s CCTV
- Free Saturday bus services
- Safeguarding historic sites such as Llwyd Mansion
- Strengthening the council’s approach to biodiversity and net zero carbon
- Managing and improving parks and open spaces in Oswestry
- Providing additional funding to protect local services such as Oswestry & Borders Foodbank and Oswestry Library
- An ambitious capital programme including pump track/skate park improvements
The total budget for running day-to-day services for the year ahead was agreed at £2.5m. Although discussions regarding the transfer of services from Shropshire Council are ongoing, a provision of £210k has been estimated to cover these costs.
The Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Rosie Radford, said: “Whilst we are in a good financial position to deliver local services that we are responsible for, this has been a difficult budget to set because of the financial crisis at Shropshire Council and whether we take on additional services which are currently at risk.
“None of us wants to raise the precept for council taxpayers or increase car parking fees, but neither do we want to see the town’s appearance and amenities decline. Our job is to serve the people of Oswestry and deliver services that matter to them and that benefit the town. This budget sets out a responsible approach that would enable us to do this.”
Read the report on the findings of the residents’ consultation
Cae Glas Park. Picture Graham Mitchell.
