Council tax in Torbay to rise

Half the increase is going directly to fund social care

Council tax bills in Torbay are going up by 3.94 per cent from April.

The new tax level was set by Torbay Council and includes its share along with amounts to fund the police and fire service, plus an extra sum in Brixham to pay for the work of Brixham Town Council.

Torbay Council increased its own share of the council tax by 3.99 per cent, with half the increase going directly to fund social care.

The decision was made by the authority which is run by a partnership of Liberal Democrats and Independents after objections to the budget from the Conservatives were voted down.

The increase, in line with most councils across the country, is the maximum allowed by the Government before the need to hold a referendum.

The total bill for the financial year from April for Band D homes in Torbay is £1,872.89, plus £56.70 in Brixham.

Outside Brixham, the Band D tax bill has gone up by an extra £71.05 for the year.

The bill from Brixham Town Council for Band D has gone up by £5.41, which works out at 10.55 per cent.

The bill for the police for Band D will go up by £9.36 to £221.64 – a rise of 4.4 per cent and just below the £10 allowed by the Government. 

The fire service has increased its share of the bill by 1.99 per cent – up by £1.72 – to £88.24 for the year.