What does your Council Tax pay for?

Your Council Tax is shared between several organisations: West Berkshire District Council (roads, schools, social care etc), Thames Valley Police, the Fire and Rescue Service and Thatcham Town Council. This leaflet shows exactly what our part of your bill delivers.

Thatcham Town Council’s part is a small share – approximately 5% of your total bill. We use this, alongside income from community hall and room hire, allotment and cemetery fees, market stall and event pitch hire and sponsorships and grants to provide local services and facilities just for Thatcham residents. Because we operate at a local level, every pound stays in Thatcham and supports visible improvements you can see and use daily.

Your Money in Action

Only a small portion of your Council Tax goes to Thatcham Town Council – but it funds a lot! From parks and play areas to markets and major events, we work year-round to make Thatcham cleaner, greener, safer and more connected. Here’s how Thatcham Town Council supports your community:

Community Facilities

• Manage London Road Cemetery
• Manage and maintain Frank Hutchings Hall, Burdwood Community Centre and Moors Pavilion.
• Look after Henleys Allotments
• Manage the public toilets on The Broadway
• Installed and manage the digital noticeboard in the Broadway
• Manage the noticeboards around the town

Parks & Outdoor Spaces

• Maintain 12 play parks
• Maintain 8 open spaces
• Maintain the skate park
• Care for wildflower areas
• Manage Jubilee Sensory Garden
• Regularly empty waste and dog waste bins in our open spaces

Safe, Welcoming Streets

• Maintain street furniture, including some bus stops and benches
• Maintai 6 street lights across Thatcham
• Operate CCTV in key areas

Community Engagement

• Running volunteer programmes to compliment the Town Council’s work and include the community in what we do.

Markets & Local Business

• Run the weekly Friday Market
• Organise themed markets
• Working with local businesses to improve footfall in town centre

Events & Community Spirit

• Organise Thatcham Family Day
• Host a 10-day community and arts Festival celebrating the town
• Run Remembrance Parade alongside the Royal British Legion
• Organise the Christmas Lights on the Broadway and High Street, as well as the Switch-on Celebrations, and Carol Service

Supporting Local Causes

• Help the Mayor of Thatcham raise funds for local charities
• Award grants to local organisations aimed at improving the lives of Thatcham residents

Heritage

• Honouring and publicising Thatcham’s rich history through the use of trails and blue plaques