RESIDENTS in Fordingbridge are set to pay more council tax as the town council increases its share of the precept by just over £14.

Fordingbridge Town Council agreed to raise its share of the council tax by 16.3 per cent, which is an increase of £14.09 per annum per band D.

Band D properties will now pay £101.21 per annum, which is up from last year’s £87.12 for 2018/19. Councillors approved a total precept request of £230,922 for 2019-20 during a meeting on January 2.

The increase was agreed by councillors to fund the increased hours for the town clerk, a buildings manager to oversee buildings repairs and improvements, and to fund the building work to the town hall.

The precept also had to take into account that the council was no longer receiving a donation towards Christmas lights.

Councillors were told tender documents have been sent out to five contractors regarding repair work to the town hall.

The meeting also heard there were problems with water coming through the clock tower and roof into the council chamber.

A tender evaluation process will take place and a report and recommendations will be presented to the finance and policy committee later this month on January 30.

The share of council tax for New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, the police and fire authorities are due to be set.