Bridgwater Town Council 2025/2026 Budget Overview
After months of meticulous planning and public committee meetings, Bridgwater Town Council has finalised its 2025/2026 budget. This budget is designed to maximise community benefits and address key priorities.
A Year of Transformation
The 2024/2025 financial year was pivotal for Bridgwater Town Council. By successfully taking on essential services devolved from Somerset Council, the Council ensured uninterrupted service delivery, demonstrating its commitment to supporting residents during challenging times.
Funding and Community Support
To continue delivering various projects and improvements, Bridgwater Town Council relies on local council tax, as it receives no funding from central government or direct funding from Somerset Council. This approach ensures the Council can maintain and enhance services for the community.
Key Budget Allocations
- Youth Engagement Programmes: Expanding initiatives to provide positive opportunities for young people.
- New Community Events: Introducing events like the Play Day to foster community engagement and recreation.
- Enhanced Street Cleaning: Improving residential street cleaning for cleaner neighborhoods.
- Support for Local Events: Continuing to fund local events and initiatives that bring residents together.
- CCTV Funding: Maintaining funding for 60 CCTV cameras across Bridgwater to ensure a safer environment.
- Park Maintenance: Regular maintenance and safety checks to keep parks clean, accessible, and enjoyable for all.
- Support for Local Initiatives: In 2024, the Council awarded grant funding to 33 local groups and individuals, empowering grassroots projects and strengthening the community.
Bridgwater Town Council remains dedicated to delivering value and building a stronger, more connected community.

For every £1 spent by Bridgwater Town Council

Bridgwater Town Council is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for its residents by providing a variety of essential local services.
The Council manages ten allotment sites, ensuring community gardening spaces are available.
It maintains parks and play areas, offering green spaces and recreational areas for public enjoyment.
Key facilities such as the Town Hall, which includes a theatre, meeting rooms, and rental offices, as well as the Bridgwater Arts Centre and Blake Museum, are operated by the Council.
Additionally, the Council oversees local cemeteries, ensuring they are respectful and well-maintained.
Street cleaning services, including road sweeping and gully cleaning, are conducted to keep the town clean.
The Council also runs the ReCreation Hub at Rhode Lane in Hamp, a vital community centre.
Through these efforts, Bridgwater Town Council strives to create a vibrant, clean, and connected community for all its residents.
The council organises popular events such as Bridgwater Fair, the annual Christmas lights switch-on, and community markets.
It also supports local organisations through grant funding, comments on planning applications, and works collaboratively with other authorities and groups to represent the town’s interests.
Bridgwater Town Council is led by a team of 16 Councillors representing the community across 9 wards.
These wards are:
- Bridgwater Dunwear North
- Bridgwater Dunwear South
- Bridgwater Fairfax East
- Bridgwater Fairfax West
- Bridgwater Hamp
- Bridgwater Eastover
- Bridgwater Victoria
- Bridgwater Westover
- Bridgwater Wyndham
Each Councillor plays a vital role in shaping the council’s decisions and ensuring the voices of residents are heard. The council operates under the leadership of the Town Council Leader and a Mayor, who serves as the ceremonial head.
The Councillors are not paid a salary, they recently voted to allow them to receive an allowance of £1239.96 per year (as recommended by the Independent Remuneration panel at Somerset Council). This is to ensure that we get a better spread of representation, not just people who can afford to work entirely for free.
There is also a team of salaried officers working to look after, promote, plan andÂ
maintain all aspects of the work that the Town Council do.
BAND A | BAND B | BAND C | BAND D | BAND E | BAND F | BAND G | BAND H |
£1.48 | £1.73 | £1.98 | £2.23 | £2.72 | £3.21 | £3.71 | £4.42 |
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 | 2024/2025 £ | 2025/2026 £ | Difference £ |
Band A | 196.89 | 274.04 | 77.15 |
Band B | 229.70 | 319.71 | 90.01 |
Band C | 262.52 | 353.39 | 102.87 |
Band D | 295.33 | 411.06 | 115.72 |
Band E | 360.96 | 502.41 | 141.44 |
Band F | 426.59 | 593.75 | 167.16 |
Band G | 492.22 | 685.10 | 192.87 |
Band H | 590.67 | 822.12 | 231.45 |
 | BAND A | BAND B | BAND C | BAND D | BAND E | BAND F | BAND G | BAND H |
Taunton | 4,909 | 10,583 | 5,568 | 3,666 | 2,172 | 1,083 | 320 | 17 |
Bridgwater | 8,924 | 4,712 | 2,667 | 803 | 311 | 101 | 35 | 7 |
Yeovil | 3,619 | 5,976 | 2,869 | 1,177 | 6,79 | 218 | 69 | 7 |
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 | Precept increase |
Bruton | 41% |
Burnham and Highbridge | 35.7% |
Langport | 8.5% |
Minehead | 6.5% |
Taunton | 8.77% |
Wellington | 27.41% |
Yeovil Town Council | 26% |
For Council Tax support and information please visit https://www.somerset.gov.uk/council-tax/