WHITCHURCH residents will see their town council precept rise by 32 per cent this year.

The decision was taken at the latest full council meeting with councillors blaming the increase on the costs of services and the inability to use contingency funds.

The move, which was unanimously supported by all councillors, will equate to band-D precepts rising from £40.62 to £53.91 per year – a rise of £13.29 per household, per year.

The rise is the first in the town for four years and roughly equates to 25 pence per week for each band D household.

Council leaders predict that it will raise an estimated £25,000 from approximately 2,500 houses in and around the town.

Explaining the need for the increase, Mayor of Whitchurch Councillor Mike Kean said: “Firstly, the extreme weather conditions early last year caused us to spend some of our contingency fund on maintenance and repairs, and the auditor said that we cannot risk spending anymore.

“Another area is that Hampshire County Council usually clears the 21 rights of way in our parish, but they are only going to clear six this year, so the other 15 will come down to us.

“Finally, the costs of street furniture and lighting have all gone up and we've had to increase the hours of the deputy clerk from 15 to 26 to accommodate the extra work we now do.”

Despite the increase, Cllr Kean argued the town council still offers value for money.

He added: “The increase just means we can con- tinue to provide the same level of service.

“The value for money is still there but it's just the cost of everything has gone up.”

The town council will now submit the precept forms to Basingstoke and Deane before, if approved, the change comes into effect in April.