Great Sankey Parish Council, Budget 2023-24
Expenditure £
Staff costs 244,500
Admin 71,400
Community centres and grounds 70,000
Open spaces 25,700
Facilities investment 26,000
Community fund 46,000
Council vehicles 21,374
Election costs 3,500
PCSO 33,280
Misc. expenses 22,750
Total Expenditure 564,504
Income £
Precept (no increase) 506,024
Community centres 90,000
Misc. income 29,000
Total Income 625,024
(Surplus of £60,520 to be added to earmarked reserves for the council’s capital projects)
2023-24 – where will your money go?
The Parish Council is delighted to be able to maintain the precept level at the same level in 2023-24
as the current in the current financial year for its parishioners (£46.72 per annum per Band D
property).
Income from the community centres will increase slightly in 2023-24 as bookings have increased
following the pandemic, helped by a small increase in hire rates; this was deferred from April 2020
to support customers during this difficult time. Expenditure is predicted to be slightly lower for
2023-24 than this year. The Council invested significantly in the community centres during 2022-23,
with a false ceiling at Whittle Hall, renovation of the car parks, installation of solar panels at Bewsey
Barn and Whittle Hall and new play equipment at both Tim Parry Recreation Ground and Vicarage
Community Park. There is some planned expenditure on the centres for 2023-24 but they are
currently well-maintained and large expenditure is not required. The Council also managed to fix a
new 4-year energy contract in March 2022 (from renewable sources) which has protected the
council from the increasing prices until 2026. The ceiling at Whittle Hall, room divider at Bewsey
Barn, and the solar PV will reduce energy costs at these centres in the long-term.
The solar panels are part of the Parish Council’s pledge to reduce its carbon footprint and to this
end, the council is moving from a diesel van to electric vehicles. As well as the wish to use renewable
energy, the council made a commitment some years ago to improve its green sites for the benefit of
residents. The Council has had exceptional contractors for many years (EDR Landscapes and AJ
Landscapes) who have helped the council develop its green sites into welcoming but is now bringing
its grounds maintenance in-house to continue the good work.
Finally, earmarked reserves (funds for capital projects which take some years to achieve) will be put
towards the council’s two large, ongoing projects which are mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter
– the development of the currently unused Sankey Station building for community use and the
installation of a drainage system on the Parish Playing Field. These projects and the addition of new
grounds staff signal a new and exciting time for the Parish Council.