Darran Valley Precept Decisions
January 2026 – Community Council Precept 2026–27 – Summary
Each year, Darran Valley Community Council reviews its precept to ensure it can continue to deliver local services, community activities and grant support that residents value.
For the 2026–27 financial year, the Council considered:
- The ongoing delivery of community events, including the children’s summer scheme and Christmas activities
- Continued support for local organisations through Section 165 community grants and Wind Turbine grants
- Rising and unavoidable running costs, including staffing, insurance, audit, administration, website, and utilities
- Statutory responsibilities such as training and data protection compliance
- The need to maintain a stable and sustainable financial position as reserves continue to reduce following several years without a precept increase
At its January 2026 meeting, the Council agreed that an increase to the precept was necessary to ensure services could be maintained and future risks managed responsibly.
The Council therefore resolved to set the 2026–27 precept at £20,000.
Based on the confirmed 2026–27 Band D tax base of 711.52 properties, this increase equates to an increase of approximately 36 pence per month for a Band D property, compared with the previous year. The exact charge applied to individual households is calculated and issued by the billing authority as part of the Council Tax bill.
The Council recognises the financial pressures faced by residents and has taken a cautious and proportionate approach. Members believe this increase strikes an appropriate balance between affordability for households and the need to continue supporting the Darran Valley community in a sustainable way.
January 2025 – Community Council Precept 2025–26 – Summary
Each year, Darran Valley Community Council sets a precept to fund local services, community activities and grant support across the community. The precept forms part of residents’ Council Tax bills and enables the Council to deliver its agreed priorities.
For the 2025–26 financial year, the Council reviewed its ongoing commitments and future responsibilities, including:
- Community events such as the children’s summer scheme and Christmas activities
- Grant funding to local organisations, including Section 165 community grants and Wind Turbine grants
- Day‑to‑day running costs such as staffing, insurance, audit, administration, website, telephone and broadband
- Statutory requirements, including training and data protection compliance
- The need to plan responsibly for future pressures, including potential community asset responsibilities
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the Council built up unused income as many activities could not take place. To support residents through the cost‑of‑living crisis, the Council did not increase its precept for several years and instead relied on those reserves. As community activity expanded, those reserves reduced.
The Council therefore agreed that the existing precept was no longer sufficient to support services in a sustainable way and resolved to increase the precept for 2025–26.
At its January 2025 meeting, the Council agreed that an increase to the precept was necessary to ensure services could be maintained and future risks managed responsibly.
The Council therefore resolved to set the 2025–26 precept at £17,000.
Using the official 2025–26 Band D tax base of 719.99 properties, the increase equates to:
- approximately £5.58 per year per Band D property, or
- around 46 pence per month
The exact charge for individual households is calculated and applied by the billing authority as part of the Council Tax process.
The Council recognises the pressures faced by residents and did not take this decision lightly. The increase was agreed to ensure the continued delivery of community services, support for local groups, and the long‑term financial stability of the Council.
2024
Council will not be increasing its precept in 2022 – this will remain at £12,980.
2023
Council will not be increasing its precept in 2022 – this will remain at £12,980.
2022
Council will not be increasing its precept in 2022 – this will remain at £12,980.
2021
Council will not be increasing its precept in 2021 – this will remain at £12,980.
Council understand the financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on local communities.
2020
Council had to make the decision to increase it’s Precept by 4.01% to £12,980. This small increase is derived chiefly from Council’s setting of a draft budget on January 23rd. After a number of years without increase, Council has eaten into its previously healthy carry forward position through a combination of inflationary increases in costs to Council, coupled with Council extending its expenditure to include additional outlay ie the summer scheme. Previous years having been funded by granting from the Big Lottery and High Sheriffs fund (Gwent). Without increasing the precept, Council runs the risk of moving nearer to a zero/deficit position.
