Council tax set to increase by 2.53 per cent

The council confirmed that its total annual precept for 2015/16 will be set at £479,098.

The average tax payer will face an annual bill of £123.67 compared with last year’s figure of £120.62 – an increase equivalent to £3.05.

Town Clerk, Delia Shephard, said: “The budget has been prepared against the backdrop of the loss of nearly £50,000 in Council Tax support from Central Beds Council, pressure from Central Government on Town and Parish Councils to be more efficient, and the threat of capping if the precept increase is considered to be excessive.

“All aspects of the council’s budget were scrutinised and efficiency savings made to ensure that its core functions are adequately resourced.”

News of the increase elicited a mixed response from those in Sandy.

Tom Wilson said: “Seems a reasonable increase considering the money they have lost from Central Beds.

“Maybe they ought to increase a little more so that they can improve the services they provide.”

Another local resident, Karen Hinton, vehemently disagrees with this point of view.

She said: “Council tax going up again I could understand it going up but for what?

“We have nothing in this town. No market, swimming pool or decent reasonable shops.

“We have too many takeaways, charity shops and nothing to bring people into the town and you are trying to close the Tourist Information Centre. Just where does it end?”

However, Councillor Nigel Aldis questioned the increase and the amount of money the council holds in its reserve, thought to be about £60,000.

He said: “I am dubious about having that amount of money in our reserves.”