Bideford residents to pay more for their local amenities

Bideford residents will be paying more for their local services following a decision by the Town Council to increase the precept.

Bideford Town Council has voted to set its precept at £385,775 for 2013/14. This represents a rise of 5.73% on a band D property, the equivalent of £4.16 a year. Last year's precept (2012/13) was set at £365,733.

The Council sited government cuts and increasing requests for help within the town and from community groups as the reason for the rise. 

During 2012/13 the Town Council gave almost £90,000 in grant funding to voluntary run organisations, as well as supporting town wide events such as the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Christmas Light switch-on, and New Year's Eve celebrations.

The operating budget includes money spent on tidying up the town through the employment of a handyman, the provision of dog and litter bins, maintaining Ford House Woodland, the Quay, the Long bridge and Christmas lighting and the floral planters.  It also funds the provision of civic celebrations such as Manor Court and the Signing of the Lease Ceremony, the provision of the newsletter, the town website and many other activities.  In addition funds are allocated for special projects and initiatives, which last year included Christmas Free parking, the purchase of a new bus shelter and the colourful lamppost banners displayed during the summer months.