On Monday, 14 December, Tenterden Town Council voted to freeze its annual precept (budget) for the coming year, in recognition of the impact of the pandemic on the town’s residents and businesses.
The budget of £603,839 includes such expenses as staff costs, grants to local organisations, IT costs, the maintenance of council-owned buildings, and professional fees.
The decision came despite this year’s precept coming under pressure, with the costs of extra safety measures and grants to cope with the pandemic, and a commensurate drop in rental and hiring income from council-owned properties.