Bridport Town Council has put an increase in its council tax bill down to supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis, supporting Ukrainian refugees, and "rampant inflation".

As council tax bills hit residents' doormats and inboxes, Bridport Town Council has explained an increase in its share of the charge.

A 9.9% increase in the town council precept – its share of the overall amount collected – amounts to 48p per week for the average Band D household, and is slightly lower than the current rate of inflation (10.1%).

The town council has pointed to particular pressures in setting its budget and precept, including:

• Sudden and unexpected costs arising from support to vulnerable residents during the cost-of-living crisis, including the creation of a network of 'Warm Hubs'
• Supporting some 60 refugees in the Bridport area under the Homes for Ukraine scheme
• Rampant inflation, with prices in areas such as grounds maintenance and building materials outstripping the published rate
• Other knock-on impacts from the inflationary crisis, including a higher than expected nationally agreed pay award

The Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Ian Bark, said "We've taken steps in the budget to increase income from other sources and hold down costs where we can, but these new pressures come at just the wrong time, as the council has taken a particular hit during the pandemic.

"Unlike the other bodies that raise funds from the council tax, we get no money at all from government or the business rates, so the scope to limit the increase was constrained."

Council leader, Cllr Dave Rickard, added: "The town council thought long and hard about the right balance between protecting local people and services, and limiting the impact on council tax.

"Naturally, we would prefer to have settled on a lower figure, but councillors recognised that people don't want to see cutbacks in our support to the community.

"The increase is lower than the prevailing rate of inflation and lower therefore than the increases all of our residents have already had to absorb in other costs of living, such as food, motoring, and energy."

The town council's costs make up just over 10% of the overall council tax bill, which also includes payments for Dorset Council, the police and fire service.

The town council has also pointed to changes in 2024 that will give it greater financial flexibility.

At present, the council receives council tax from just over half of the built-up area of Bridport. The widening of the town boundary in April 2024 will remove this anomaly, and as a result councillors expect those in the existing town council area to see a significant reduction next year.

A full explanation of the town council budget can be found here. This report was considered twice, in meetings open to the public, before the decision was made.

Council Tax reductions are applied automatically in some cases, and additional support is available for those on low incomes.

Information can be found at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/benefits/council-tax-support/council-tax-support