Berwick News
Precept news from Berwick Town Council
27 January 2025
On Monday 20th January 2025, Berwick Town Council approved a 5% increase to the precept for 2025-26, leading to an annual household charge for a Band D property of £109.54, a rise of 10p per week for a Band D property. Combined with funding that Town Council receives separately from the Freemen Trustees, this ensures that Berwick’s Band D precept is between £10-£30 lower than other market towns in Northumberland. The Mayor of Berwick, Cllr. John Robertson says “We have endeavoured to keep the increase to a minimum, as we are very aware of the current economic situation in our town. However, we are also aware of the need to repair, replace and recycle our current assets. Added to this is our aim to deliver improvements to our allotments at Five Arches, create a woodland walk in Shielfield Terrace, site new outdoor fitness equipment at Five Arches and take over responsibility and redevelopment of the Charter Market on Marygate. Due to a recent reorganisation of our staffing structure, we aim to concentrate resources on delivering projects whilst maintaining statutory administrative duties, taking into account the external risks associated with increases to the minimum wage, recent changes to National Insurance charges and the unpredictability of anticipated income from the Freemen Trustees”.