OTLEY Town Council has approved its budget for the coming financial year, with £625,782 in the chest to carry out a series of projects across the town.

The Town Council says it plans to “do a lot with a little” over the next year, having frozen the precept paid by local people as part of their Council Tax for spending in Otley. The precept amounts to £462,585 of the total funds available.

A spokesman for the Town Council said: “There is a cost-of-living crisis facing many, so a priority for Councillors this year was to ensure that the Council delivered services and projects even more efficiently, questioning all spending and ensuring that the precept was frozen again.

“Within that smaller budget, they were determined to continue looking after our heritage, supporting community events, and delivering on projects which address our future together.”

The Town Council is responsible for some of Otley’s iconic landmarks: the Jubilee Clock, the Buttercross, and the Navvies’ Memorial. These and other heritage assets are now being secured for the future by a programme of expert conservation, paid for from a sinking fund.

There is also a focus on climate and biodiversity projects, with money earmarked to support environmental action.

The spokesman said: “We are working with other local groups on the Otley Nature Recovery Plan and, as custodians of the Gallows Hill Nature Reserve, we have to spend money to make sure that this well-loved area continues to be both accessible to residents and a suitable refuge for wildlife.

“Carbon reduction is also a focus and we are seeking ways to measure the impact of Otley’s efforts to go green, report back to residents, and direct our actions as effectively as possible.

“Supporting Active Travel is important not just for tackling the climate emergency, but also for helping people to save money and improve their physical and mental well-being.”

But the Town Council said its focus on green issues did not mean it was in any way “anti-car”, citing the improvements in parking at Gallows Hill.

The Town Council is, though, pushing forward plans to improve the area for pedestrians and cyclists. The spokesman said: "We are seeking external funding for this and are pleased to have received £39,000 as part of the City Connect scheme.

“This will pay for new waymarking, equipment, bikes, and other support for Active Travel in Otley. We have also set aside money from the Council’s budget for further development of the Street Vision and Wharfedale Greenway projects – the latter will be a great, off-road leisure and commuting route.”

There is money in the budget for significant Otley events: the Remembrance Day Parade and Service and the Christmas Lights Switch-On. There is also money to support other Otley groups’ projects and events.

The spokesman added: "We know that there are a great many brilliant community groups in Otley that need extra support for what they are doing this year. There is also money for the annual benchmarking survey, Otley in Bloom, promoting the town and running the public toilets, which are all important support for Otley businesses.

“And there is money for our wonderful staff, whether they answer your queries or support you with complaints, organise events and projects, keep the town clean or run the toilets. Without them, we could not make the difference we do.”

Commenting on the budget process and outcome, Richard Hughes, Chair of Otley Town Council, said: "I was delighted that, after robust discussion and consideration of the demands on the Council, there was a unanimous agreement amongst Councillors that this budget achieved the right balance of priorities and was right for Otley."