CLEVEDON residents will pay more toward the services provided by their town council next year as it sees its funding decrease.

Clevedon Town Council has decided to increase its precept for the next financial year and those living in the town will contribute 16 per cent more toward its funding than in 2012/13.

This will see residents of Band D properties pay £27.76 compared to £21.78 last year, which they will pay as part of their overall council tax bill.

Because North Somerset Council has had to make significant savings in its budget, and therefore has cut the services it provides, the town council has taken on some extra responsibilities which have increased some costs.

The fact the Government will no longer provide council tax benefit from April also means district, town and parish councils are having to cover the resulting shortfall.

In Clevedon, the change means there are effectively 717 fewer houses classed in Band D for council tax.

Chairman of the town council’s finance and general policy committee, Councillor Carl Francis-Pester said: “This hasn’t been an easy job this year.

“The precept reflects what we need to run the council on a day to day basis.

“We have been given about £15,700 for next year to account for changes made to numbers on the electoral roll and to mitigate for a reduction in funding for this year but we do not know whether we will get this again next year.”