Zero per cent precept increase approved by Thatcham Town Council

The town council's full council committee agreed on Monday night to recommend a precept of £677,093 which would equate to an average household (band D) paying an annual precept of £72.55 - the same as last year.
West Berkshire Council and the emergency service’s section of the council tax will be added to this figure.
When asking that the precept and budget be approved at the meeting, town council leader Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham north), said that various aspects were taken into consideration when coming up with the figures including flood defences, parks and halls, developers contributions and young people.
Town councillor, Owen Jeffery (Lib Dem, Thatcham South and Crookham), said: "To be able to provide services and in some cases improve services when the whole country is going through a difficult financial time is something we can be very proud of."
In terms of providing funds for young people services, he added: "We need to do the things that encourage young people in our town to be a part of the community, ensuring that we don't get the vandalism and the mindless violence."
The precept is subject to a grant of £59,429.67 being made by central government, following changes to the council tax benefits system, which has yet to be confirmed.
The changes mean that the council tax benefit is being replaced by a council tax support.
This will have an effect on the council tax base and, as a result, a grant is being allocated to parishes to minimise the effect of this.