WILTON Town Council has approved a rise in the parish precept and set out an ambitious programme of investment in some of the most-used community facilities.

The decision was made at a full council meeting yesterday when members agreed that increased spending was necessary to safeguard Wilton’s infrastructure after several years of tight budgeting.

Since 2020, the parish precept has risen by 4.6% in total – below the rate of inflation.

While this has helped limit the impact on household bills, councillors say it has come at a cost.

To keep essential services running and facilities open, the council has increasingly relied on its financial reserves.

Councillors warned that continuing to do so would be unsustainable and could put both day-to-day maintenance and future projects at risk.

As a result, the council has agreed to increase the precept by £146,462 as part of its 2026/27 budget.

For a Band D household, this will mean an additional £1.77 per week.

The extra funding will support a wide-ranging programme of works including a full refurbishment of the public toilets in Market Square – a long-standing issue for residents and visitors alike.

Improvements are also planned for the Castle Meadow Pavilion with resurfacing of the car park and the installation of new lighting to improve safety and accessibility.

Seasonal highlights are also on the agenda, with a review of Wilton’s Christmas lights planned to explore enhancements for the 2026 festive display.

In addition, the town council’s website will be redesigned to improve accessibility and strengthen communication with residents and community groups.

Looking further ahead, councillors have identified other key assets in need of attention, including the cemetery and council offices, as part of a longer-term strategy to protect Wilton’s public spaces.

The council acknowledged that the decision comes at a time when many households are still feeling the strain of the cost-of-living crisis, and said the increase was agreed only after careful consideration.

However, members stressed their responsibility to ensure the town’s facilities remain safe, accessible and fit for purpose for years to come.