RESIDENTS of Buckfastleigh will pay more council tax next year.

Buckfastleigh Town Council agreed to increase its budget, which is funded through its precept raised via council tax, from £156,100 to £172.250.

The council tax bill for a Band B property will rise from £103.43 per annum to £111.50, which is an increase of 7.8 percent.

This equates to just over 15 pence extra per week.

For a Band D property, the annual bill will rise by £10.38, or just under 20 pence extra per week.

The reason behind the rise is so the council can continue to support myriad services in the town, including a weekly Citizens Advice outreach session, the town’s beloved outdoor swimming pool and more.

‘The cost-of-living crisis and the aftermath of the Covid pandemic continues to impact many of our residents and businesses’ said Chairman of the council.

‘Services that we have often taken for granted have either been reduced or lost altogether due to drastic funding cuts and lack of resources such as street cleaning, repair of potholes and bus services.

‘In recent years Buckfastleigh Town Council has tried to soften the blow by using our limited funds to breach the gap where we are permitted, such as helping to fund the swimming pool and Victoria Park.

To continue to fund and support these services, pay our very small team of staff to administer and following consultation in October, it was agreed at our town council meeting held on November 20 to increase our budget.’