Residents across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge face an increase in their council tax bills of 3% this year following a decision by town councillors last night (Monday, February 4th).
At Monday’s full Town Council meeting, members voted unanimously to proceed with a small council tax increase for residents.
Councillors heard that the removal of a £22,171 precept support grant from Sedgemoor District Council – due to central government cutbacks – is putting extra financial strain on the Town Council.
They accepted a precept request of £615,343, meaning that the Town Council element of the council tax on a Band D property will be £96.40 per year, an increase of six pence per week.
Talking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, Cllr Mike Facey, Chairman of the Policy and Finance Committee, explained: “We are keen to keep any council tax increase for our residents as low as possible without affecting local services.”
“It has been a particularly challenging year given that our central government grant funding of £22,171 has been removed for us and other Town Councils.”
“However, through good management and financial planning we will be retaining all the services as before and not cutting back staff numbers.”
Mike added: “Thanks go to our financial officer and the team for all their work on this year’s budget.”
The budget outlined below was fully accepted.
How your Council Tax is spent locally
| Expenditure | Income | Required | |
| Admin | 184,438 | 1,225 | 183,258 |
| Democratic & Civil | 15,800 | 15,800 | |
| Burial board | 158,560 | 14,405 | 144,160 |
| Joint funding with others | 92,350 | 92,350 | |
| Grants | 45,100 | 45,100 | |
| Princess Theatre | 145,115 | 67,650 | 77,465 |
| Old Courthouse | 17,850 | 3,200 | 14,650 |
| Other properties | 1,630 | 1,630 | |
| Allotments | 1,850 | 1,400 | 450 |
| Town improvements | 37,050 | 2,000 | 35,050 |
| Handyman | 5,930 | 5,930 | |
| Community Infrastructure Levy Burnham | 250 | -250 | |
| Community Infrastructure Levy Highbridge | 250 | -250 | |
| TOTALS | 705,718 | 90,380 | 615,343 |
