Dear Editor,
Can a representative from the Shildon Town Council or the Town Clerk, please explain why the precept for Shildon has risen to 8.8% (nearly 10% for the year 2026/2027).
This is the highest rise that I can ever recall, apart from when Shildon Town Council had to rebuild the Civic Hall and when the Council had to purchase a new hydraulic excavator for the works department. (Last year, 2025/2026 the precept for Shildon Town Council had a rise of 2.9%).
However, unless there has been other expenditure that the Town Council has had to budget for, then I’m sure people will agree, that a precept rise of 8.8% is “Totally unacceptable” and is more than double the rate of inflation.
I look forward to receiving a reply on this matter.
May I add that the Reform lead Durham County Council is only 2%.
Yours faithfully,
Stuart Bird, Shildon
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
