Frome Town Council is asking residents to help decide what matters most when it comes to spending the money they contribute through council tax. For the average household, this is around £4.72 a week, with 76% of households in council tax Bands A-C. As councillors begin thinking about next year’s budget, they want to hear from local people about how that money should be spent and what priorities matter most to them.
Through the My Frome engagement platform, residents can take part in an interactive budgeting exercise and a short survey, helping councillors understand how people would balance spending across different areas of the council’s work and whether they feel it represents good value for money. It takes around 5-10 minutes to complete, with opportunities to explore the council’s budget and annual report in more detail for those who wish to take a deeper look.
Cllr Fiona Barrows, Leader of Frome Town Council, said: “This is the first time we’ve used My Frome to involve residents directly in shaping our budget, and it’s very much a starting point. We want to learn from what you tell us, both about the budget itself and about how we involve you in these decisions.
“As a town council, Frome Town Council aims to use your money responsibly and effectively, focusing on the projects, services and facilities that have the greatest impact on the community. The feedback gathered through My Frome will help inform early budget discussions for 2027-28.
“Next year, we hope to build on this with a much wider conversation about the choices and priorities behind our budget. For now, please take a few minutes to have your say, either on My Frome or by coming along to one of our meetings where anyone is welcome to speak.”
No decisions have yet been made on the 2027-28 budget, and councillors are keen to hear from as many residents as possible before proposals are developed.
Residents can get involved in a number of ways. They can share their views online at www.myfrome.co.uk until 9am on Monday 16 November, speak to councillors at the Weekly Market between 10am-12pm on Saturday 10 October, or attend council meetings where public participation is always welcomed. Upcoming opportunities include the Community and Place Committee on Tuesday 27 October, Council on Wednesday 11 November and the Operations and Assets Committee on Wednesday 25 November.
