The precept is the portion of Council Tax that town and parish councils in England receive each year to fund their local services and activities. Unlike other tiers of local government, parish and town councils do not receive funding directly from central government and instead raise money through this precept, which is collected on their behalf by the district or borough council as part of the Council Tax bill.
This payment plays a vital role in enabling local councils to maintain community facilities, support local projects, and provide services such as parks maintenance, street lighting, public toilets, and community events. The amount of the precept is determined annually by each council based on its budget needs and is subject to public consultation and approval through the local council’s precept-setting process.
Our Services and Facilities
Woodley Town Council delivers a comprehensive range of services designed to support the daily lives of residents and promote a thriving community. These include the upkeep of parks and open spaces such as the Green Flag-awarded Woodford Park – which features two play areas, a lake, orchard garden, and leisure facilities – along with other key sites like Malone Park and Bulmershe Park.
The Council also manages several community venues including the Oakwood Centre (home to a café and the Alan Cornish Theatre), Chapel Hall, Coronation Hall, and Woodford Park Leisure Centre, offering flexible spaces for events, meetings, and performances.
On a day-to-day level, the Council maintains public amenities such as bus shelters, street lighting, noticeboards, seating, and allotments, and issues grants to support local groups. A total of 25 elected councillors serve on the Council, representing the interests of the community and taking part in regular committee meetings and the Annual Town Meeting. Civic life is further supported through the election of the Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who attend local events and raise funds for their chosen charity.
Community engagement is supported by free events like Armistice Day, Climate Action Week, Party in the Park and events in the Town Centre, as well as the publication of the Woodley Herald. The Council also collaborates with local organisations such as Friends of Woodford Park, WASP, and the Woodley Carnival team.
To learn more about our services and facilities, you can watch an overview presented by the Town Clerk HERE.
2025/26 Precept Information
Each year, the Town Council considers its proposed budget for the coming year and assesses the funding that will be required to deliver its services. It is estimated that the Council’s total expenditure in 2025/26 will be in the region of £2,368,501.
This will be funded from anticipated income of around £1,064,190 from the Council’s businesses and income generating activities, £138,552 from the Council’s general reserve, and £1,165,759 from the precept levy on Wokingham Borough Council.
This equates to a charge of £106.69 for a band D property in Woodley, to deliver the Town Council’s services. This remains the same from the 2024/25 precept level.
Precept Leaflets
Precept Leaflet
(2025/26)
Precept Leaflet
(2024/25)
Precept Leaflet
(2023/24)
Precept Leaflet
(2022/23)
Precept Leaflet
(2021/22)
Precept Leaflet
(2020/21)
Precept Leaflet
(2019/20)
Precept Leaflet
(2018/19)