TEIGNMOUTH councillors are understood to be preparing for a substantial increase in the local tax, but insist it will still be good value for residents.

The resort’s precept – the amount of money claimed from Teignbridge to run the town council – has only risen by small percentages in recent years and is much lower than many neighbours – Dawlish is nearly twice as high.

Now the council is taking on more responsibilities and members say it is vital to have a larger budget to improve facilities and ensure the momentum is maintained to ensure Teignmouth stays ‘on the up’, after the millions of pounds of public and private investment upgrading in recent years.

The budget for the current year stands at £308,417, and councillors and staff are in the final throes of finalising the new precept, which will be announced at a finance and general purposes committee meeting next week.

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