THE council tax demand from Okehampton Town Council will be reduced by around 10% this year, following the formal adoption of the town council?s budget last week.
The precept levied by the town council for 2004/05 will be £160,000 which works out at £73.76 for a band D property when divided between the number of ratepayers in Okehampton as of November 14.
The reduction follows a rise of around 25% to £168,000 last year. Councillors agreed to reduce the original precept estimate of £163,000 by a further £3,000 following a proposal by Cllr Pat Snell. The money will be saved by transferring a further £3,000 from the council?s reserves to pay for new tables in the Charter Hall.
Cllr Snell said: ?A lot of people in this area have problems paying. I think it looks better to the electorate if we keep our precept down, even if it is only by a small amount.?
This move was supported by Cllr Mike Davies, who said: ?It is this council?s intention to keep the precept down. It is a good statement to the town to try and keep the precept down.?
The budget includes money to be spent on a concept plan for the town?s parks, Disability Discrimination Act compliance work, grants and working towards the provision of a new cemetery. Councillors also discussed the possible cost of an event to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day which takes place this June.
Town clerk Don Bent said he felt the people of Okehampton got good value for money from the council. ?We are restructuring the finances and getting to grips with some problems. We are bringing buildings up to DDA standard as well as doing other maintenance work,? he said.
Members also approved an increase in the mayor?s allowance, which will in future rise by 5% each year.
The Okehampton Town Council precept forms just a fraction of the overall council tax bill. West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council still have to set their own precepts in the coming months.