AT the Bude-Stratton full town council meeting on Thursday, December 5 it was decided to increase the town council’s part of the precept for council tax on Band D properties for the 2020/21 financial year.

The full council was recommended an increase of £910,219 by the Finance and Property Committee.

The precept for 2020/21 was agreed at £910,219, which is an increase in council tax on a Band D property of £4.73 (2%) per annum, or £4.20 (8p per week) for a Band C property.

Following the meeting, chair of the Finance and Property committee and deputy mayor, Cllr Peter Moores explained that due to increased assets absorbed by the town council, the precept needed to increase to ensure they could be maintained.

He said: “As we took on the town’s library from Cornwall Council we have had additional costings. We are anticipating a wage increase throughout the public sector in line with inflation.

“We have had many positive reviews regarding how well the library is doing and hope to keep it that way.”

At the same full council meeting the leases for the three public toilets across Bude — Crooklets, Summerleaze and The Crescent — were sealed, which means the Town Council have secured their long term future for the town’s residents and visitors.

Cllr Moores added: “We are hoping to revamp the toilets and have also added this cost into the budget for next year.

“We also recently opened the play areas at Crooklets and Summerleaze beaches and will need to have additional finances available for maintenance and for insurance.”