TAXPAYERS in Ilminster will receive a significant dent in their wallets over the next financial year after the town council announced an unprecedented hike in the council tax precept last night.

At a full council meeting, councillors unanimously voted to back a proposal which raises the precept from £148,110 in 2011/12 to £205,873 in 2012/13, an increase of some 39%.

The council stressed that the increase works out only at the cost of a Mars bar a week per household – 51p per week or £2.22 a month.

The measure is an attempt to ensure Ilminster remains a vibrant market town, by supporting organisations and activities and to maintain facilities for the community. It is hoped to also minimise effects of funding and service cuts from the district and county councils.

Ilminster Mayor Cllr Carol Goodall said: “There are many examples of where cutting down on services and activities have been the death of communities, resulting in ‘sink estates’ where crime and anti-social behaviour are rife and residents have no respect for their environment.

“We cannot allow this to happen to Ilminster and we believe that investing at this time will produce results that will benefit us all.”

The portion of a bill for a Band D property in Ilminster to be taken by the town council is now £96.82, up from £70.20 last year.

Some of the money will be used to increase the town’s grant budget, which stood at £4,400 last year and now offers £7,000 for organisations.

Cllr Goodall added: “Councillors and officers have worked hard pouring over the figures during the last couple of months to come up with a sensible and forward looking budget.

“The emphasis has been on planning for the future needs of Ilminster with good housekeeping practice, whilst being mindful of the cost to local taxpayers.”

The council is set to distribute newsletters confirming the precept increase around the town later this week. For more detailed analysis of the announcement pick up a copy of next week’s Chard and Ilminster News.

WHAT’S your view on the increase in the precept for Ilminster? Should the town be investing in its services or saving residents from a council tax increase at a time of economic difficulty? Contact the News via e-mail on newsdesk@chardandilminsternews.co.uk, call 01460-238180 or comment on this story below.