21/02/2026
A message from your new Frome Town Councillor, Richard Pinnock:
Lots of people have contacted me about the Town Council part of your council tax going up at around twice the rate of inflation (something I voted against at last night's FTC meeting).
At a time when household budgets are already stretched, that naturally raises one big question:
Are we getting value for money?
So I’ve taken a careful look at FTC’s 2028–27 work programme and budget. There’s plenty of good work in it - but there are also some fair questions worth asking.
Here’s a simple breakdown.
🧑💼 A big part of the budget is staffing
Across different departments, staffing costs are significant.
For example:
Open Spaces staff cost just over £400,000
Core Business staff cost over £300,000
Communications & Marketing staff cost over £180,000
Community team staff cost over £200,000
Staff are essential to deliver services. But when council tax is rising faster than inflation, it’s reasonable to ask:
Has the number of staff grown in recent years?
What proportion of the precept now goes on salaries?
Are there overlapping roles in engagement, communications and marketing?
That’s not criticism — it’s normal financial scrutiny.
🏛 The Town Hall costs more than it brings in
The Town Hall is expected to generate around £156,000 in income — but costs around £391,000 to run
There’s also £100,000 planned for major works next year.
Community buildings matter. But residents are entitled to ask:
Is it being used to its full potential?
Is there a plan to reduce the gap between income and running costs?
Is this level of subsidy sustainable year after year?
🚜 Devolution: more local control - but more cost too
FTC is taking on more responsibilities from Somerset Council. That “devolution” budget is over £530,000 next year.
It includes:
£80,000 for new vehicles
£60,000 for depot refurbishment
£64,000 for Market Yard toilets (solution still being worked out)
£85,000 coming from reserves to help cover costs
Local control can be a good thing. But it also brings long-term financial risk. Residents deserve confidence that these new responsibilities are affordable not just this year - but in future years too. And we still have a big, outstanding question of what's happening to the Badgers Hill stadium.
🎄 Events, marketing and engagement
There is also significant spending on events, town promotion, communications and engagement activity across different budgets.
Like you, I love the events and vibrancy in Frome.
But when bills are rising, some residents understandably ask:
Could some non-essential spending be scaled back?
Are we prioritising core services first?
Is the balance right?
This isn't about attacking the Town Council. There’s a lot of hard work happening. But when the precept rises at twice inflation, scrutiny is necessary.
Residents deserve:
Clear priorities
Careful financial management
Transparency about costs
A sustainable long-term plan
It’s your money. It’s right to ask how it’s being spent.
If you’ve got views on this, I’d really welcome them below 👇
