BRAMSHOTT and Liphook Parish Council is set to increase its share of residents’ council tax bills by two per cent from April.

Last year the council did not increase council tax, and as a result it received about £90 from each council tax bill. The total bill for a Band D house in the parish for the year from April 2021 was £1,873.56.

The increase is set to be formally proposed by the council’s finance and policy committee on Monday, January 10. It will then go to the full council meeting on January 24 for a final decision.

Last year’s council budget was £374,766 and it is expected to be about £400,000 for the coming year.

Committee chairman and council deputy chairman Cllr Simon Coyte said: "The budget will be finalised at our meeting on Monday, and there are things, such as new accommodation for our grounds team equipment, that could push it up.

"At the moment a two per cent council tax increase for the parish council part of the bill is on the table, but again, that could change at Monday’s meeting."

Council executive officer Peter Stanley added: "The finance and policy committee agreed a two per cent increase was reasonable in view of inflation of over three per cent and the investment in staff and property providing better services for the community.

"The final draft budget will be considered at the January meeting where a recommendation will be made to full council to set the budget and precept."