Councillors in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have reacted with dismay to the news that the Town Council faces a £24,000 bill for emptying dog waste bins this year.
Cash-strapped Sedgemoor District Council has passed on the costs to the Town Council after saying it could no longer afford to provide it itself.
The two councils struck a ‘devolved service agreement’ two years ago to enable the 57 dog bins across Burnham and Highbridge to be emptied three times a week.
The councils shared 50 per cent of the costs in 2011 and the Town Council took on 75 per cent of the cost in 2012. It now faces the full cost in 2013, an increase of £6,000.
Cllr Neville Jones said: “It is a horrendous bill but one that cannot be avoided without reducing the number of bins.”
Cllr Phil Harvey added: “It is a very regrettable cost which has come about following a cut in central government funding to the district council.”
The cost is one of several being considered by councillors as the Town Council sets its budget for the coming year.
It has not yet decided whether it will raise its precept, which could lead to an increase in council tax bills for residents in the two towns.
