The past year has seen the town council continue to invest in the town and its community, from improving public spaces to supporting local organisations.
Behind the scenes, the council operates as a self-funded organisation, generating around £2.5 million in annual income, the vast majority of which comes from its own commercial activity.
In fact, 94% of its income for the year ending March 2025 was self-generated, meaning the council receives no funding from central government, Dorset Council or local business rates.
Despite rising costs, the council has maintained a strong financial position. It remains debt free, holds a reserve of £1 million, and has only increased the precept (the proportion of council tax paid to the town council) twice in the past 15 years.
For 2026-27, the precept paid by residents has reduced by 3.9%, while continuing to fund essential services and new projects.
Over the past year, several key projects have been delivered to enhance facilities and support community life here in Lyme Regis.
These include the opening of the new multi-use games area at Anning Road Playing Field, alongside an upgraded football pitch, which has provided improved opportunities for sport and recreation.
The council also carried out repairs to Langmoor Garden paths, helping to maintain safe and accessible public spaces.
Other notable developments include the refurbishment of the cemetery lodge, and the installation of CCTV across key areas of the town, including Broad Street, the seafront and the gardens.
It has almost been a year since the launch of this magazine, with this edition being the penultimate edition before our first anniversary of LymeLiving, a community magazine helping to keep residents informed and connected.
Community-focused initiatives have also been a priority, with the relaunch of the town bus service, the continuation of events such as Party in the Park – the annual event designed to give something back to our residents – and the council relocated to new office premises at St Michael’s Business Centre to improve accessibility and welfare facilities for our staff.
A significant part of the council’s work is supporting the organisations and groups that help make Lyme Regis the vibrant, busy and caring community that it is.
Each year the council provides around £140,000 in grant funding, supporting a wide range of local charities, clubs and initiatives.
‘Term grants’ have been awarded to 14 organisations across the town, providing ongoing support for a period of five years. Including £55,000 to The Community Waffle House, £60,000 to the Lyme Regis Foodbank, £10,000 to The Lyme Regis 'Visitor Hub', £20,000 to Lyme Regis Christmas Lights and £30,000 to the Lyme Regis Development Trust.
This funding helps to sustain vital services, from community support and advice services to arts, education, heritage and events that enrich the life of this town.
In addition, smaller community grants are awarded throughout the year to support grassroots initiatives. Recent recipients include groups such as Lyme Morris, Lyme Bay Chorale, The Lyme Regis Sea School Trust, Lyme Regis Skatepark Project, Lyme Regis Pantomime Society, and local sports clubs, as well as organisations supporting wellbeing, young people and those in need, with Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support and The Woodroffe School both receiving grants of £1,000.
The council has also provided capital grants to support larger projects, including funding for St Michael’s Parish Church, LymeArts Community Trust, Lyme Folk Weekend, Uplyme and Lyme Regis Cricket Club, East Devon All Stars and Lyme Regis Sea Angling Club, helping to invest in the town’s long-term facilities and cultural offer.
As the council looks ahead to the coming year, it continues to balance financial responsibility with investment in the town, managing rising costs such as business rates, VAT and national insurance contributions, while maintaining services and supporting new initiatives.
The council’s approach remains focused on supporting the community, maintaining the town’s assets and delivering projects that benefit residents both now and in the future.
From large-scale infrastructure improvements to small community grants, the impact of this work can be seen across Lyme Regis, in its public spaces, its events, and the many organisations that help to make the town such a special place to live.