The Town Council is mainly funded through the so-called ‘precept’, which is an amount added to your Council Tax bill each year – it will vary according to which Band you are in. You can see the amount charged on the Council Tax Bill you receive from Powys County Council.

The Council sets its budget for the following financial year in January. It must cover the costs of maintaining and insuring its physical assets (mostly the public toilets, Castle Park and the cemetery, plus street furniture, signs and numerous other small items.) Burial fees are charged which we try to set at a level which covers the cost of maintaining the cemetery.

The Council also has to pay our part-time Clerk’s salary, and cover the costs of office accommodation and equipment. Councillors receive no salary but are paid an allowance of £208 (£4 a week) to cover out-of-pocket expenses.

The Council also makes small grants (up to a maximum total of about £2000 a year) and funds various local events. It may also sometimes receive grants from public funds towards the cost of particular projects.

It maintains reserves both to cover unexpected contingencies and to fund future capital expenditure. It cannot borrow. Other than two small leases which bring in about £300 a year, and burial fees, it has no other sources of income.

The Council must keep careful account of its expenditure. Its accounts are published in August/September each year and are subject to both independent internal audit and external audit by the Wales Audit Office. They are available for inspection on application to the Clerk.