3.9% rise for Leighton-Linslade Town Council slice of council tax bill
Council tax will rise for Leighton Buzzard residents after Leighton-Linslade Town Council set its budget for the forthcoming year.
At a meeting on January 26, the council set a precept of £3,105,167 to be collected through council tax next year.
For an average Band D property, this represents an increase of 14 pence per week, or £7.34 for the year.
In its budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, the council agreed to maintain its annual programme of free community events, activities and entertainment.
The authority has also committed to maintaining its trees, plants and floral displays.
Increased funding has been agreed to support charity and voluntary organisations through grants, while there was also a commitment to fund targeted policing activity through the Operation Dodford agreement, and to increase funding for the Christmas lights scheme.
The authority is also looking to increase capacity for mentoring services for young people aged 12 to 19, and the 55up weekly lunch club.
Among other town council plans for the upcoming financial year are replacing safety surfacing in some of the children’s play areas across the town.
On the environmental side, the town council has set aside money to establish a biodiversity baseline and action plan, and has committed to further work to reduce the council’s carbon footprint.
At a full council meeting in 2021 the authority declared a climate emergency and committed to being carbon neutral by 2030.
Speaking following the meeting, town council leader Nigel Carnell said: “A comprehensive review of our proposed expenditure for 2026-2027 has resulted in what we feel is an acceptable increase in precept of 3.9 per cent, given the current rate of inflation of 3.5 per cent.
“The town council remains committed to making a difference at the most local level and to ensuring that the parks, play areas, open spaces, sports facilities and community buildings for which we are responsible, and which are used every day by our residents, are maintained to the highest standards for everyone to enjoy.
“We also remain committed to delivering high quality, free community events throughout the year for the benefit and enjoyment of our local residents and businesses.”