Population
41,276 (2021 Census)
Registered Voters
26,673
The Town Council is funded by the residents of Bridgwater through a precept on the council tax charge made by Somerset Council. The 2023/24 budget sets a total precept of £1,153,746 that equates to a council tax charge of £112.05 on a band D household. Properties are put into one of eight bands, A being the lowest, and H the highest, with Band D being the average. Bridgwater Town Council’s Band D equivalent is one of the lowest against other towns in Somerset.
To be open and transparent we have various detailed reports in relation to the operation of the Town Council here:
Annual Audit
Every financial year ending 31 March the annual audit of the Town Council’s accounts are reviewed by both the internal and external auditor. Audit information can be viewed here:
Budgets
The financial year for local authorities is 1 April – 31 March. Year to date budgets can be viewed on the Full Council section of the Meetings page
Transparency
Town and Parish Councils which have a gross annual income or expenditure (whichever is the higher) of a least £200,000 are required to publish ‘Public Data’ as set out in The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency’.
Although only ‘recommended practice’ Bridgwater Town Council believes that being transparent is pivotal to enable greater democratic accountability over how council tax and public money is spent. However, Public Data does not include personal information as this would contravene the Data Protection Act 2018. In accordance with the Code of Recommended Practice Bridgwater Town Council will make available for public inspection the relevant information as stipulated within the Code.
Asset Register
Local councils must maintain an asset register to ensure fixed assets are appropriately safeguarded. Once recorded on the asset register, the value of assets must not change from year to year until disposal. Concepts of depreciation and impairment adjustments are not appropriate for local councils.
The Register is adopted by the Council at the end of each Financial Year but is a working document over the following Financial Year, during which Council Officers will update and amend details as necessary.
