…and why this will mean a council tax increase of £1.33 per month for residents.
Upton has huge potential and an exciting future. The parish is entering a new era – as developers complete their obligations, the time has come for Upton Parish Council to step into the breach. We will be taking on new areas of green open space next year. Council has bold plans to move the parish forward, with projects to improve play equipment, fix the Memorial car park potholes and optimise spaces, provide connected footpaths/trails, sports areas for young people and improve fencing, signage, litter bins and other amenities. CIL Reserves and S106 will be used where possible, and we are actively working on where best to invest these funds to have the greatest impact for our community, but it’s important to remember that many expenses will not meet the criteria to qualify for these funds. A step change in precept is also required, after decades of keeping it at a record low. Despite this reset, Upton’s precept will remain one of the lowest in the area, ensuring residents receive exceptional value for their contribution.
Residents can consult our website to see a breakdown of the Budget, a Budget FAQ and a Council Tax estimator. We encourage residents to visit our Budget Information webpage
Upton Parish Council acknowledges the concerns of residents regarding the continued operation of community centres within the Parish. Historically, the Council has prioritized minimizing costs to residents, resulting in Upton Parish collecting one of the lowest precepts in the area. While this approach has kept local taxes low, it has also limited our financial flexibility, preventing the Council from effectively intervening to support or sustain these vital community services.
During our 2025/26 budget review, it became clear that the Parish Council is currently not equipped to take on the responsibility of supporting these community facilities. Although we fully recognize their importance to residents, our lack of sufficient resources, expertise, and infrastructure makes it difficult for us to assume a major role in their operation at this time.
To address this challenge, the Council has made the decision to increase our budget, with the aim of gradually building the reserves needed for the legal and administrative work necessary to facilitate a future transfer of ownership. This financial adjustment will enable us to cover the costs of due diligence, legal advice, and the creation of appropriate governance structures. We are committed to ensuring that any transition of ownership is conducted in a responsible, transparent manner, with minimal disruption to residents and a focus on long-term sustainability for our community facilities.
For the time being, West Northamptonshire Council will continue as the landlord of both properties and is proactively working on future arrangements with each of the current tenants.
As we move forward, we will continue to engage with residents, remain open to their feedback, and explore all viable options to secure the future of these important community assets. This may include partnering with other local organizations, seeking external funding, or pursuing innovative solutions to ensure the continued operation and viability of these facilities for the benefit of the whole Parish.
Responding to criticisms that the Parish Council should not have made such a high percentage budget increase, Chairman Andrew Holt stated, “With an election approaching, it would have been easy not to square up to the facts and make prudent budget provisions for Upton’s future. We knew that the percentage increase would be sensationalised by some, but the context is an increase of £1.33 per month. This long overdue reset will put Upton on the path towards assets and services it deserves, commensurate with its growing size. I am proud that Council has had the foresight and integrity to make this decision, putting Upton’s residents at the heart of its actions”.
*numbers quoted are based on Band D property.
