Finance

Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council does not receive any direct funding from central government or business rates. Our primary source of income comes from the Precept, which is a share of the Council Tax that is collected from each household by Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC).

This is calculated on an average household (Band D property) and has increased from £139.47 last year to £218.13 for this financial year; this is an annual increase of £78.66, or £6.55 a month, or £1.51 a week. In real terms these sums are an annual increase of £61.44 per annum, or £5.12 a month, or £1.28 a week due to EBC reducing sums from their element of Council Tax as their land is transferred to FOHHPC.

The contribution you make through the Precept is used to run the Council and maintain and improve the facilities, activities, and services that the Council provides across the Parish. This is supplemented by some fees for income received from hiring Parish facilities; community centres, sporting and meeting facilities etc.

The Precept for FY 26/27 has increased considerably since FY 25/26, from £632,716 to £991,284. The main reasons for this increase are:

• Improvements to our open spaces;
• Additional assets taken on from EBC, and
• Additional staff as the Parish grows.

The Parish Council has allocated £114,000 to the following projects for residents to enjoy and improve our wonderful facilities:

• Improvements to Knowle Park, including new play facilities, and upgrades to both Buttercup Pond and The Orchard.
• New Century Park will have the path replaced.
• The Cemetery Path will be resurfaced.
• The Community Library and Fountain Café will have solar panels installed.

How the Parish Council will use the Precept this year

Community Activities: Tree and bulb planting, annual Remembrance Service, Christmas Lantern Parade and hanging baskets.

Running Costs: Projects mentioned mentioned above, CCTV, equipment purchases and maintenance, business rates, utility bills, insurance and IT/phone contracts.

Other: Grants to Parish volunteer groups and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) costs.

Staff: Salary, Pension contributions and Employer National Insurance contributions.

The Parish is growing and will continue to grow over the coming years. The recent Whitehall LGR decision to merge EBC with Southampton City Council will undoubtedly bring change to our local area, with, as yet, unknown outcomes. FOHHPC must remain flexible and relevant to our resident’s needs and ensure that this remains a lovely place to live.