Housing prioritised in new budget

Funding to explore ways to increase affordable housing supply, tackle fly-tipping, and further improve the district’s parks has been unveiled as part of Wychavon’s latest budget.

Wychavon will spend £13.6 million on providing services to residents during 2025/26 after the budget was backed by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday (26 February).

Councillors also approved a rise from April in Wychavon’s share of the Council Tax bill of just 2.5% - or £3.13 - to £128.21 a year for an average Band D property. Despite the rise, Wychavon’s share of the bill will remain the lowest in Worcestershire and one of the lowest in the country.

Highlights in the budget include:

• A recommitment to support investment in the Riverside Shopping Centre in Evesham, Droitwich Spa Lido and Droitwich Leisure Centre.
• A £250,000 pot for individual projects to further improve parks and open spaces.
• Another £1 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support businesses with skills and growth opportunities.
• Exploring options to improve car parking at railway stations.
• £736,000 for homelessness prevention.
• Another £50,000 to explore options to increase affordable housing across the district including temporary accommodation.
• £115,000 to continue to identify empty homes and bring them back into use.
• £30,000 to identify new wildlife and woodland locations to boost biodiversity.
• £10,000 for a campaign to highlight how residents can help tackle fly-tipping, identify hot spots and take action against offenders.
• £550,000 to replace the water play in Droitwich’s Lido Park.
• £250,000 for security improvements to various parks and public open spaces across the district.
• £90,000 for path improvement works at Pulley Lane, Droitwich.
• £37,000 for rough sleeper accommodation and £35,000 for domestic abuse accommodation.
• £400,000 to continue to fund archaeological works at Milestone Ground, Broadway.
• £103,000 for scaffolding to secure the former Raven Hotel in Droitwich Spa
• Investigating the cost of a flood relief scheme aimed at residents.

Cllr Aaron Powell, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Finance and Resources, said: “Our budget continues Wychavon’s long tradition of only asking residents for more money when it is strictly necessary. A 2.5% increase in our share of the Council Tax actually represents a real terms cut in our funding against inflation and is a testament to the sound financial management of this council over many years.

“This budget recognises the challenges we face, including the shortfall in support from the Government to cover the increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions. But it is also fair and promotes investment in the things that matter to our residents.”