RATEPAYERS in Wellington and throughout the Taunton Deane area will have to pay more in council tax in the new financial year starting on April 1.

An increase of 3.47 per cent was approved by the council at its annual budget meeting which means that for Band D properties the rate will rise by £2.87 a week. The annual total will be £149.62 for the services provided by Taunton Deane. This figure includes £1.74 for the work of the Somerset Rivers Authority, the same as for the current financial year.

The council’s estimated spending for 2017-18 is £14,681,655 which is £285,773 more than for the current year.

As in previous years the grant from central government is being reduced – this time by 46 per cent from £1.279 million to £683,936.

It is estimated that the council will have a balance of £2.184 million by March 31 this year compared with £2.113 million at the start of the financial year.