Midsomer Norton Town Council has set its budget for the 2018/2019 financial year, which will see a 2.5% increase for residents.

Included in planned spending is £7,500 to improve the play area at West Clewes, along with £5,000 to upgrade the Town Council’s server, which is outdated and will soon no longer be supported.

The Council also plan to employ a Grounds Officer, whilst increases in the budget for grass and hedge cutting are proposed to support groundswork required at the new Town Park, which will open at some point in the year. Costs for the park are to be funded from the S106 monies available from B&NES Council from local developments, but revenue costs will also need to be funded. A ‘modest increase’ in Officer salaries is also included in the budget.

The Council also decided upon the Precept income needed to finance the desired work taking place this year. Over the last few years, B&NES Council, itself facing limited funding from the Government, has reduced the amount passed onto the Town Council by way of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme grant. Last year, B&NES Council passed on £12,810 to Midsomer Norton Town Council, and for the coming financial year this figure has been reduced to £6,400. The sum will eventually be withdrawn completely, as the local authorities become self-sufficient.

To compensate for the lack of funding from B&NES, the Town Council has opted to raise the money it collects through the Precept by the residents of Midsomer Norton. An increase of council tax of 1.89% is required to match the figure cut from B&NES.

Faced with several options, the Council opted to increase the Precept by 2.5%. Council Tax is calculated by the value of the resident’s property, which are grouped into ‘bands’. The benchmark band is Band D, which is to be raised from £89.55 to £91.79. While this figure would not completely cover the projected budget for the 2018/2019, the shortfall (£183) is to be met from reserves.

The Finance Working Party proposed that this decision would be the best solution in covering the lack of funding from B&NES Council.