RESIDENTS in Torridge are set to pay more in Council Tax after the district council approved a 2.99 per cent rise.

On February 25, Torridge councillors met at the full council meeting in order to finalise the budget and determine the Council Tax rate for the 2026/27 financial year.

During the meeting the council approved an increase of £5.84 (which equates to a 2.99 per cent rise). The council has emphasised that despite the rise, the sum remains lower than the rate of inflation at 3.6 per cent and will represent a rise of just over ten pence per week for the majority of Torridge residents.

For the remaining elements which constitutes the full council tax payment Devon County Council approved a rise of £89.91 (4.99 per cent), Police and Crime Commissioner £15 (5.20 per cent), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service £5 (4.78 per cent) and the various Town and Parish councils an average of £6.55 (7.29 per cent).

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Ken James the leader of Torridge District Council said: “To ensure we continue to provide these essential front-line services that Torridge residents depend on, it is important for us to increase Council Tax. By doing so, we can strengthen our resources and enhance the quality of services available to everyone in the district.

"The Council Tax collected by Torridge constitutes only a small fraction of the total payment. In fact, for every pound collected, 73 pence is allocated to Devon County Council, 12 pence to the Police, 4 pence to the Fire Service, and 3 pence to Town and Parish Councils. This leaves approximately 8 pence per pound for Torridge to support the essential services that benefit our community.

“As a council, the increase will enable us to continue to deliver value for money, whilst ensuring that financial sustainability remains one of our key priorities.”

The council has also made clear that it has reduced its spending, a spokesperson explained: “Due to investments and efficiencies made in temporary housing, spending has decreased from approximately £800,000 in 2023/24 to a forecast of around £300,000 in 2025/26. This is direct result of the council’s efforts to increase the amount of space in its hostels and other forms of accommodation. This area remains a key focus for delivering savings in the coming years.

“Despite the challenges facing the revenue budget, the council is pleased to announce its largest ever level of capital investment in the district. The Operational Services Centre is now complete and fully operational, while construction of the Appledore Maritime Innovation Centre is underway and expected to be completed by autumn. Work has also commenced on the Community Regeneration Partnership projects (£20-million), and improvements are being made to leisure and public facilities [...] the council is dedicated to modernising its services to improve efficiency, uphold our commitment to net zero, and support the community.”