At its meeting last week, Westfield Parish Council agreed a 3% increase in its precept on last year.

Westfield Parish Council, said: “We raise a precept based on our budgeted spending for the year. The precept is added to your Council Tax bill and is shown alongside other additions such as Police & Fire and Social Care. In addition to the precept, the Parish Council seeks funding in the form of grants for some of its projects. We also receive Community Infrastructure payments.

“The precept total is apportioned per household according to Council Tax band and is presented in terms of a Band D equivalent. The 2023/24 precept of £225,148 will cost a band D household £117.66 per year or £2.26 per week. This is an increase of 5p per week from last year.”

Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr Geoff Fuller said: “Careful monitoring on spending by our Finance and Personnel Committee means that we can put just a 3% increase on our precept from last year.

“Our preference is always to implement gentle increases where we can. We will continue to budget cautiously and are mindful of the impact on the residents of Westfield.”