Much Wenlock council precept rise after grant cut
A town council says it has had to raise its precept after seeing its national grant budget reduced.
Much Wenlock Town Council is set to increase its part of the council tax by 64 per household for an average band D property, per year.
The council said it had managed to reduce last year's expenditure, which had reduced part of its income. But with additional maintenance required for Gaskell Recreation Ground, the council agreed to set its precept at £175,519.
Town clerk Sharon Clayton said: "The town council has now approved the precept for the forthcoming financial year.
"The present economic climate and funding constraints imposed on local authorities throughout the country has reduced grant funding from Government and the council is under increased pressure to deliver more with less."
"Last year the council had to raise the precept considerably in order to avoid the threatened closure of the public toilets in Queen Street and St Mary's Lane and the cost of this alone raised the precept by £12,000.
"This year's precept includes provision for additional maintenance of the Gaskell Recreation Ground.
She added: "However, the council is looking at innovative ways to increase its income to offset increases in expenditure."
She said the rise was less than inflation.
"Expenditure has been reduced from last year and so has the expected income.
"Therefore, the precept for 2014 to 2015 has been set at £175,519.
"This equates to a small increase on last year of 64 pence per annum per household with a Band D property, which is just one penny per week.
"However, this increase is lower than inflation."
