THE mayor of Fordingbridge says the town council will be “sailing close to the wind”after setting its budget for 2018/19.

Councillors approved a two per cent increase of its share of the council tax precept when the town council discussed its budget on January 3. The total precept request was £198550.

Residents in Band D properties will see a 66 pence increase - rising from £86.46 to £87.12 for 2018/19.

The increase has taken into account the predicted loss of income from burials and the loss of a New Forest District Council grant for the play scheme.

Town mayor, Cllr Malcolm Connolly, said: “We didn’t really want to put it up even as much as we did. We will still be sailing close to the wind this year.”

He added: “We have also got this hideous problem sat on top of here. The roof is still no further forward. We will be having meetings about that in the near future about how we are going to fund that. It will be a learning curve for us all.”

During a finance and policy meeting held before the general council meeting that evening, Cllr Connolly said the finances of local government at all levels was “almost critical and severe to say the least”.

The share of council tax for New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, the police and fire authorities has not yet been set. New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council will be setting their precepts next month.

Residents can have their say on the council tax contribution given to the police authority online at hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/budget. The deadline for taking part in the consultation is noon on January 22.