KINGSCLERE parish council has agreed to raise its precept after a year of upheaval.

The council is currently operating on an over-expenditure of £3,000.

Parish chairman Councillor Alan Denness told a parish council meeting: “This means we have to have a very careful look at expenditure for the next financial year.”

Earlier this year, the parish council had to foot the bill for an audit carried out by the borough council after concern was raised about the parish council’s accounts.

The audit, which followed the mass resignation of the then parish council, found nothing untoward but it cost the parish council nearly £6,800.

After hearing of the shortfall, the parish council agreed to raise its precept by three per cent, the equivalent of each household paying 80p more per year, which will raise £1,300.

The council will attempt to raise the remainder of the money either through cutbacks or dipping into savings.

Cllr Darren Hardcastle said the precept had not been raised in several years.

When Cllr Denness proposed increasing the precept, the proposal was seconded by Cllr Raymond Peach and agreed unanimously.