Craven Arms facing 40 per cent precept rise

Taxpayers in Craven Arms could face a rise of more than 40 per cent in their annual precept payment to help run public toilets and maintain new play facilities.

Members of Craven Arms Town Council last night agreed to reopen the public toilets in Shrewsbury Road, which will cost up to £6,000 to repair and maintain for the rest of the financial year.

But town clerk Eric Williams has revealed next year's precept could rise from £35,000 to £50,000 – a 42 per cent increase – to pay for maintaining the toilets and new play facilities for playing fields off Newington Way. He said the toilets would cost between £11,000 and £14,000 a year to run.

Last week it emerged the town council had missed the deadline to negotiate a deal for Shropshire Council to take on the running of the town's street lights in return for the town council maintaining the toilets. It is understood it would have taken up to £3,800 off the town authority's bill. Shirehall closed the toilet block in April as part of cost-cutting.

The precept is the portion of council tax set aside for the council's budget, and is shared among police, fire authorities and Shropshire Council. The increase would mean a rise of £16 a year for the town's Band D taxpayers.

Mr Williams said: "Councillors will make a decision on next year's precept in January."