Bridgwater Town Council 2026/2027 Budget Overview
Bridgwater Town Council has finalised its 2026/2027 budget. The budget is centred on stability, sustainability and future‑proofing the town, designed to protect essential services and ensure Bridgwater is well‑placed to meet future challenges and opportunities.
For full details of the 2025/26 Budget, please click here.opens PDF file
Building on a Year of Progress
Having successfully taken on a range of services devolved from Somerset Council, the Council continued to deliver essential support without interruption, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining reliable, community‑focused services during a time of local government change.
Funding the Town’s future
Bridgwater Town Council receives no funding from central government or direct funding from Somerset Council, meaning its work is funded entirely through the local council tax. This ensures the Council remains accountable to residents and able to invest directly in the services and improvements that matter most to the community.
Key budget priorities for 2026/27
The 2026/27 budget focuses on safeguarding current services while investing in long‑term improvements that will help secure Bridgwater’s future.
A commitment to stability and future‑proofing
Bridgwater Town Council remains focused on delivering value for residents, maintaining stability during ongoing local government transitions and planning ahead to secure a strong resilient thriving community for years to come.
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 and
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 |
| £0.26 | £0.31 | £0.35 | £0.40 | £0.48 | £0.57 | £0.66 | £0.79 |
2025/2026 £ | 2026/2027 £ | Difference £ | |
Band A | 274.04 | 287.75 | 13.71 |
Band B | 319.71 | 335.71 | 16.00 |
Band C | 353.39 | 383.67 | 18.29 |
Band D | 411.06 | 431.63 | 20.57 |
Band E | 502.41 | 527.55 | 25.14 |
Band F | 593.75 | 623.47 | 29.71 |
Band G | 685.10 | 719.38 | 34.28 |
Band H | 822.12 | 863.26 | 41.14 |
BAND A | BAND B | BAND C | BAND D | BAND E | BAND F | BAND G | BAND H | |
Taunton | 4,957 | 10,647 | 5,594 | 3,688 | 2,189 | 1,085 | 322 | 17 |
Bridgwater | 8,928 | 4,706 | 2,669 | 800 | 312 | 102 | 34 | 7 |
Yeovil | 3,619 | 5,977 | 2,870 | 1,176 | 681 | 216 | 69 | 7 |
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 opens in a new windowhttps://www.somerset.gov.uk/council-tax/
