Midsomer Norton residents are set to receive a 5.7% increase in its Council Tax this year in a move branded “absolutely terrible” by Town Councillor, Gordon Mackay.

Chair of the Finance and Operations Committee, Cllr Brian Lawrence, explained that the budget had been “artificially reduced” last year by taking money from reserves. He said that a reduction in tax base and an increase in numbers of households claiming housing benefit meant that “in order to stay still, we have to increase the precept.”

He continued: “Last year we took money out of reserves – we can’t afford to keep doing that.”

Cllr Mackay challenged this and questioned how much was in the reserve fund. He said: “It always goes up and there’s always a good excuse.

“In a year where people have lost their jobs and are really struggling – this doesn’t look good.

“I do think it is ironic that we are in this situation because of a reduction on tax base, from new homes being built – when I sit on a planning committee that fights tooth and nail against developments.

“It is absolutely terrible that in a national financial disaster we are increasing this and I think we should be very wary of that.”

The Town Council are looking for a 5.7% increase which means a Band D property will go from paying £97.19 up to £102.73 – a £5.54 increase over the year or rounded up to eleven pence per week. Cllr Mackay argued that breaking it down like this was a way of softening increases. Neighbouring Radstock have not put their precept up at all.

Town Councillors spoke of taking on more responsibility from B&NES Council and that this would cost money. Major projects such as the Town Park, the Town Warden Scheme and security at the Somer Centre, which has long been a site of anti-social misery for local residents, is proving expensive. Cllr Steve Plumley reminded Councillors that the precept could have been higher and thanked the committee for trying to get it as low as they could. He said: “To get things done, you need your own workforce. As a Town Council, we are doing more and more, but more and more results in more money.”

Cllr Michael Evans said the rise was “regrettable” and above inflation. Speaking at the monthly meeting held on Monday evening this week, he said: “We need to watch that the rate won’t go above inflation in future and if it does, we need to have a very good reason. Projects such as the Town Warden and the Town Park are valuable, but they do come at a cost.”

Despite the debate, the precept rise was unanimously voted through by Town Councillors.

In other Midsomer Norton Town Council news, CCTV has been installed at St Chad’s Well to deter anti-social behaviour, Councillors voted to renew its planning application to reinstate the original Market Hall as part of the Heritage Action Zone, which will eventually make changes to The Island and promote Midsomer Norton as a market town once more.

New, official robes have arrived for the Town’s Mayor, Lynda Robertson, which were funded by an anonymous donor. Cllr Robertson said she hoped to invite former Mayors back to be photographed which would later be displayed in the Town Hall for posterity.

Planting has begun at the Town Park’s Sensory Garden, the idea and sponsorship of which has come from the Radstock and Midsomer Norton Lions and a group of volunteers, known as TCV, (The Conservation Volunteers) have been working on one of the footpaths at the Town Park.

Town Councillors also voted against awarding funding to the Bath and North East Somerset Faith Foundation, stating that the application did not fit the criteria.

£21,000 will be spent on Parking Control Teeth at the Somer Centre, another anti-social behaviour deterrent, and Councillors discussed the merits of different quotes. It was agreed to go with this option.

They also agreed to respond positively to B&NES’ Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation, with feedback from local police saying it had been a useful tool in combatting late night anti-social behaviour in the High Street.

A new Town Councillor will join Midsomer Norton Town Council at the next meeting. 42-year-old Christian Griffiths is new to the area and was previously a Parish Councillor in Martock.

Addressing Councillors he said he wanted to give something back to the community and had the experience to do so. He beat 30-year-old Sean Boon to the post, who has tried out for the Town Council before and Mike Buswell, who was unable to address the meeting due to Zoom issues. Christian Griffiths replaces Cllr John Baker who resigned from his post.

The next full Midsomer Norton Town Council meeting will be held on 1st March and the Zoom link can be found on the Town Council’s website, along with agenda information and minutes.