Town councillors have this week proposed a 1.1% increase in council tax bills across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge in a bid to help residents feeling the financial pinch.
Despite the increasing cost of providing public services in the area, the Town Council’s Policy and Finance Committee proposed the small increase during a budget-setting meeting on Monday.
The Town Council’s total precept for the financial year 2015-2016 will rise to £570,596 – an increase of £16,647 on last year.
With the tax base adjustment, the increase for an average Band D property in Burnham and Highbridge will amount to around just 90p per year more.
Town Clerk Denise Emery told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a prudent budget that should allow the Town Council the necessary flexibility to carry out their increased responsibilities while not increasing the burden to ratepayers over inflation.”
And Cllr Chris Williams, who chairs the committee, added: “We have been very careful with our expenditure through the year and have tried to operate as efficiency as possible. We are aware that many residents are struggling with their finances and are keen to keep council tax increases to a minimum.”
The Town Council will vote on whether to accept the budget proposals at their next meeting on February 2nd.
