Weston-super-Mare Town Council is committed to the continued improvement and development of our town. By working together with key partners, we are taking significant steps to ensure that the services and assets which are important to our town, remain a priority to us.
Working with North Somerset Council
From April 2025, the Town Council will take over the management of up to 22 play parks and areas that were previously under the management of North Somerset Council. Cllr Ciaran Cronnelly, Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee stated:
“Residents have told us what they want to see, and this includes greater investment into important community assets such as play areas. We are increasing our budget provisions to allow an additional £350k per year to be able to act on what is important to people and make improvements across the town, this will include monies being used on play areas. We’ll also be starting ground works to secure a concession for Castle Batch and replacing the toilet at the waterpark.”
Weston Town Council has agreed to work with North Somerset Council during a transition period in 2025/2026. This collaboration aims to bring decision-making closer to local communities and improve service delivery. While the Town Council has expressed interest in further devolution of services from North Somerset Council in 2026/2027, it currently lacks the budget to do so. Therefore, the approved budget includes a provision to increase general reserves to support future service takeovers.
All councillors across Weston Town Council have been working collaboratively together to bring forward opportunities that may arise from devolution of assets and services from North Somerset Council. In a joint statement the leaders of the political groups Cllr Gill Bute – Conservative Group, Cllr Ciaran Cronnelly – Labour Group, Cllr Robert Payne – Liberal Democrats Group said:
“Next year we’ll begin to make the most of the opportunities that arise from our discussions with North Somerset Council about the transfer of assets and services that Weston Town Council is best placed to deliver – such as play areas, collection from public bins, and dog bins.”
“We’re pleased that we have reached a transitional agreement with North Somerset Council that will ensure the protection of important services such as community response, and begin to take on ownership and management of play areas across the town, whilst we continue to work collaboratively to agree a long-term plan.”
“Weston Town Council has a long history of managing and delivering community services and we’re excited to be able to share more with you once we’re in a position to do so.”
Strengthening Local Services
The budget set for the year 2025/2026 allows the council to continue delivering valued services, including the Weston Museum, Blakehay Theatre, Milton Road Cemetery, Water Adventure Play Park, Civic and Mayor’s events, community projects, such as the Old Town Quarry and more. In addition, it allows us to safeguard assets previously operated by North Somerset Council.
Recognising concerns about antisocial behaviour, the council will maintain its funding for CCTV across Weston-super-Mare and increase its contribution to the Community Response Team, ensuring dedicated additional staff will be in place to support the town.
Budget and Financial Planning
The Town Council has carefully structured its budget to support these initiatives. The approved net revenue budget for 2025/2026 stands at £4,450,668, ensuring the continued provision and enhancement of essential local services. The annual precept for a Band D property for 25/26 is £163.98. Rising costs, including Real Living Wage (RLW) increases and National Insurance contributions, and ongoing running costs (i.e. gas, electric and utilities), have been factored into the financial planning. Full details of the national and regional financial context are included in the council’s Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
Cllr Cronnelly concluded:
“We’ve worked hard to set a budget that delivers on the priorities the residents of Weston-super-Mare tell us they care about, as part of our ‘Your Town, Your Voice’ survey. We know residents’ value many of our services, and this budget ensures we can continue to provide them while planning for the future.”
We welcome continuous feedback from residents and as such encourage completion of the current Your Town Your Voice survey.