Budget Statement from Horley Town Council

Precept 2026/27: Budget Statement from Horley Town Council December 2025
Horley Town Council has approved its Council Tax precept for the new financial year at its Full Council meeting. The Precept for 2026/27 has been set at a total net figure of £649,146. This means that the Town element of Council Tax will be an average annual amount of £57.31 per household, representing an annual increase of £2.10 per Band D property 3.8%.
The approval of our 2026/27 budget represents a continuation of our commitment to delivering high-quality services and meaningful improvements across our valued public parks, play areas, recreational facilities, and wider portfolio of community assets that matter so much to Horley residents.

A Responsible Approach to Your Council Tax
A central focus of this budget is ensuring that Horley Town Council maintains stable general reserves through prudent financial planning whilst remaining in a sound position to seize new opportunities that directly benefit our community.
The budget has been carefully constructed to keep increases to a minimum, reflecting our commitment to fiscal responsibility at a time when many residents face financial pressures. This measured approach supports the long-term sustainability of the community amenities and services that make Horley such a special place to live.

Building on Our Success
It has been another phenomenal year for Horley Town Council, and I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved with our proven track record of delivering projects on time, to budget and at high quality. Multiple capital projects have either been successfully delivered or are progressing well, and we continue to pursue grant opportunities for future initiatives. In 2025/26, the Council secured approximately £109k of external funding, representing 12.5% of our total expenditure in this financial year.
This success in securing external funding reflects the meticulous preparation and dedication of our Town Plan Working Group and our outstanding officers. I firmly believe that well-run councils like ours, with qualified staff and elected members, should be entrusted with more grants to deliver for residents, especially now with such significant changes on the horizon.
This year’s capital projects have been made possible through generous funding from Surrey County Council’s Your Fund Surrey schemes and successful bids through the RBBC CIL SIP 2 Ad Hoc Allocation Fund. These partnerships have enabled us to deliver essential improvements and infrastructure works at our community buildings, including the Innes Sports Pavilion, Court Lodge and Horley Recreation Ground, together with new outdoor gym equipment at these sites and Michael Crescent Centenary Park. These improvements help to address the outdoor sports provision deficit in Horley and demonstrate our commitment to strengthening local infrastructure and the wellness of our community.

Looking Ahead to 2026/27
The budget provides for the strategic acquisition of new assets that deliver lasting benefits whilst ensuring the long-term sustainability of community assets, safeguarding them for future generations.
Our capital project for the expansion and sustainable improvements at the Council Offices (Albert Rooms) is progressing well, and we anticipate reaching Practical Completion by spring. Funded through the RBBC Strategic CIL SIP 2 Scheme, this project will help us achieve lower operational costs through improved energy efficiency, reduce the building’s environmental impact by lowering carbon emissions, and create social value by building resilience and demonstrating leadership in tackling the effects of climate change.

Strengthening Our Democracy
The Council is committed to positioning itself to respond effectively to the significant local government changes ahead during the transition to East Surrey Unitary Council and beyond. This includes investing in people, skills, innovation, and new business opportunities, whilst ensuring residents continue to be well represented through robust local governance and effective democracy, measured by our performance in delivering directly to those we serve.
The Council is expected to increase in size following the Community Governance Review, which seeks to strengthen local representation and ensure a more equitable balance of councillors to electors across the Horley parish wards. To minimise the financial impact on residents, we have set aside earmarked funds to cover election costs anticipated in May 2027.

Supporting Our Community
We remain fully committed to supporting St Bartholomew’s Church, recognising its vital role in our community, by providing a generous grant to help maintain its facilities and sustain its activities for the benefit of all parishioners.
The Town Council extends heartfelt thanks to County Councillors Jordan Beech and Andy Lynch for their ongoing support through Surrey County Council’s Your Fund Surrey schemes, which have made a real difference to our town. Thanks to this funding, we have been able to deliver projects that touch daily lives – from improving local amenities and enhancing play areas to increasing the number of community defibrillators to help save lives. This collective dedication highlights how collaboration can build a safer, stronger and more vibrant community that everyone can enjoy and take pride in.
The Council also expresses sincere thanks to the many local groups and businesses whose continued sponsorship and support are essential to enhancing the vibrancy and resilience of Horley. Their contributions reinforce community connections and help sustain and enrich local projects and services, creating a thriving environment for all residents. We are equally grateful to the many volunteer groups and individuals who generously give their time and energy in numerous ways, helping Horley flourish and become more resilient. Your spirit and engagement are the lifeblood of our town.

Conclusion
Full budget details will be made available on our website for anyone wishing to review them and printed copies can be provided on request.
I would like to wish all our residents, members, staff and volunteers a very joyful and relaxing Christmas. I encourage everyone to take advantage of Horley’s many excellent restaurants, pubs and shops during this festive period – your support for our local businesses helps them thrive throughout the year.
On a final note, on behalf of our Members, I would like to invite all Horley residents to sign up to our free monthly Newsletter from the home page of our website or follow us on X (Twitter) or Facebook to be kept regularly informed about Horley Town Council’s business and other activities.

Thank you.
Cllr Martin Saunders, HTC Finance Lead Member
December 2025