Tell us what we should be spending money on

People in Kettering are being asked how they think the town council should spend their money.

The council has put together a list of suggested ideas for 2024 but now needs residents' views.

Kettering Town Council wants to find out what people's priorities and ideas are for the town – and has launched a consultation exercise to get views on its budget.

There are a range of projects planned for the year which aim to boost the economy, improve the environment and local facilities, plus support groups and residents with grants and advice.

Ideas for new projects for the town include introducing a running event to the town, supporting cultural activities such as Kettfest, creating a Neighbourhood Plan for the central areas of Kettering, installing more speed warning devices and improving play areas.

The council plans to increase its budget from £425,000 to £525,000 – an increase of 22% or 10p per household per week.

The list of new projects includes:

à £25,000 for a running event

à £10,000 to support cultural activities such as Kettfest

à £10,000 to create a Neighbourhood Plan for the central area of town

à £3,500 to install another speed warning device

à £7,000 on new playground equipment on the Ise

à £25,000 to manage the town flower displays if NNC withdraws its funding for this

People can have their say on the council's website, or by going along to two consultation events in the Newlands Centre on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 December, from 10am to 2pm. There is also a Town Meeting on Wednesday 15November at 7pm, in the Toller Church Rooms, Meeting Lane, which will feature the budget for next year.

Cllr Mark Rowley, chair of the Finance and Governance Committee, said: "The council has had an incredibly busy year organising a range of events to attract people to Kettering – including Kettering By The Sea, Friday Night Discos, Christmas markets and the lights switch on and food and drink events. We have also given out thousands of pounds of grants to local groups to make a difference to communities. We've installed new speed devices and new fencing at Windmill Avenue allotments and got involved in a range of projects and initiatives, as well as seen the adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan for the Headlands area.

"We want to extend our range of activities for next year and do even more – but we really want people's views on our ideas and what they think we could be doing for them."

The Council's plans will mean a precept on the Council Tax of just under £29 for someone in an average, Band D, property – about 55p a week. This will still be one of the lowest precepts in North Northamptonshire or in England for a town or parish council.

The Council is looking for feedback on its ideas by Monday 4 December 2023, ahead of making a final decision at a council meeting on Wednesday 17 January 2024.