News

March 3, 2026

Bungay Town Council Announces 2026–2027 Budget Focused on Community Investment and Local Priorities

Bungay Town Council has released its budget plans for 2026–2027, outlining a clear and community focused vision for the year ahead.

The new budget prioritises investment in essential services, public spaces, youth opportunities and the preservation of Bungay’s rich heritage, ensuring the town continues to thrive as a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work and visit.

The Council’s plans are built around five key priority areas: Community Development and Support, Public Spaces and Recreation, Young Persons Provision, Heritage and Cultural Preservation and Efficient Council Operations. Together, these priorities reflect the Council’s commitment to meeting the needs of residents while preparing for future challenges and opportunities.

A major emphasis of the budget is strengthening community support services. For the third year we are continuing our support for Bungay Community Support. There are additional efforts directed towards expanding partnerships and supporting new local initiatives, including support for Citizens Advice, the Bungay Folk Festival and the Food Bank. The Council also intends to make the Town Hall a more welcoming and accessible community space capable of hosting events, activities and support services for residents across all age groups.

Significant investment will also be directed towards improving public spaces and play areas. Following positive feedback from residents, the Council is committed to upgrading playparks and maintaining high quality green spaces throughout the town. The recent improvements at Kings Road Playpark demonstrate the standard the Council aims to deliver across other sites, ensuring safe, accessible facilities for all families.

The budget outlines ambitious plans for youth provision, building on the success of the past year’s programmes supported by a Police Commissioner’s grant. The Council will expand opportunities for children and young people by developing a diverse programme of activities with the support of dedicated staff and volunteers. Ensuring that these opportunities remain accessible to all young people—regardless of their personal circumstances—remains at the heart of this work.

Protecting Bungay’s cultural identity is another central element of the budget, with strong investment directed towards heritage and cultural preservation. The Town Hall Museum Project continues to be a key initiative, combining traditional craft and historical exhibits with digital innovation to create new, engaging ways for the community to experience the town’s past. The Council also remains committed to supporting events and projects that safeguard important heritage sites and enhance the historic character of the town centre.

Finally, the budget places strong emphasis on operational efficiency. With local government reorganisation on the horizon, the Council is reviewing staff structures and focusing on improving communication and service delivery. This work will help ensure that Bungay remains well positioned to meet future challenges while keeping services responsive and community focused.

The full calculation of the Town Council budget and spending intentions for the year 2026-27 can be seen Financial Information – Bungay Town Council

 To remain in line with inflation, rising service costs and deliver a clear plan for the future the Town Council have proposed a charge of £161.12 per annum per Band D equivalent household which represents a 19.64% Increase = £26.45 per annum per Band D equivalent household for the financial year  2026-27.

 We thank you for your support and welcome your feedback. This year we can support people, communities and the town and can continue to make Bungay a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.

 For more information or to get involved, please attend our monthly council meetings or contact the Town Clerk by emailing clerk@bungaytowncouncil.gov.uk

Bungay Town Council’s 2026–2027 budget demonstrates a clear and forward-looking commitment to investing in the town’s people, places and future. The Council remains dedicated to working in partnership with residents, local organisations and neighbouring communities to ensure Bungay continues to thrive for many years to come.