Changes to local government funding, high inflation, an expanding town and increased demand for services has been a steady trend over the last couple of years and these are set to continue as we look towards 2026/27. The Town Council is all too aware of the pressures of the current economic climate and the costing of living. The Town Council is committed to maintaining its existing services while also completing the new area of Butterwick Road cemetery; responding to and dealing with pressures due to changes in the national planning systems and challenges to The Sedgefield Plan; inspecting all trees on Town Council owned land; to strive towards increased aspirations for environmental improvements around the central village greens area plus the pond areas in the grounds of Ceddesfeld Hall; and complying with all legislative requirements placed upon us.
Every year, each Town and Parish Council sets a precept which is a charge that is determined locally and is added to, and collected along with, Council Tax. This precept money is then used to provide services and amenities within the Parish. There will be 2% inflationary increases in our cemetery and allotments charges with our photocopying services and dog bags charges being frozen as per the current 2025/26 prices. In relation to our Parish Hall hire fees, in 2025/26 the Town Council introduced the 1st year of a three year programme of hire fee increases. The 2nd year of those agreed hire fee increases will come into effect on 1st April 2026. This three year programme sees the Parish Hall being more sustainable while recognizing its importance as a community asset.
For 20267/27 there will be a 5% increase in Sedgefield Town Council’s precept, an increase of £11.12 per Band D household per annum.
Financial support schemes operated by Durham County Council for those in financial hardship, or who could quality for a reduction in Council Tax, can be found at:
https://www.durham.gov.uk/counciltaxcreduction https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/26603/Household-Support-Fund-HSF