Sevenoaks Town Council budget surplus ensures continued community investment

Despite economic pressures and rising costs, Sevenoaks Town Council (STC) has ended the 2024/25 financial year with a healthy budget surplus of £39,512.

This positive outcome reflects the Town Council’s careful financial management and strategic investment. It’s good news for the Sevenoaks community, as it will allow the council to continue to provide high quality services and facilities into the future.

In line with its commitment to support long-term financial stability, Sevenoaks Town Council has decided to allocate £20,000 of the surplus to its general reserves. The remaining £19,512 will be placed in a contingency fund to help with any unforeseen expenses in the current financial year.

A key contributor to the surplus was the interest generated from the Town Council’s effective investment of public funds.

Sevenoaks Town Council delivered a wide range of services throughout 2024/25 and invested in numerous projects to benefit the community. Key highlights included:

• A 20mph speed limit scheme in the town centre to improve road safety
• Purchasing Longspring Woods, ensuring its protection and preservation for future generations
• Improving the condition of council-owned assets across Sevenoaks.

 

Last financial year, Sevenoaks Town Council also successfully secured £36,000 in grant funding, which supported many important initiatives and community events, including:

• Forget-me-not Café dementia-friendly talks and activities
• Projects and services at House in the Basement Youth Café
• A popular Skate Jam event for local children
• Improved lighting at the Vine.

This surplus is a significant achievement for Sevenoaks Town Council, especially at a time when councils across the country are facing increasing financial pressure.

Commenting on the surplus, Cllr Nigel Wightman, Chair of STC’s Finance and Delivery Committee, said, “These figures are tribute to the hard work of our Chief Executive Linda Larter and her team who have managed our finances carefully in difficult circumstances. We continue to experience cost increases across the board and to have to finance a number of unexpected events. The surplus has allowed us to strengthen our reserves to provide additional financial security in the coming year”.

Sevenoaks Town Council remains focused on managing its resources efficiently, while providing excellent facilities and seeking further opportunities to support the community’s wellbeing.

  Image: Longspring Woods