BURNHAM-ON-SEA and Highbridge Town Council has approved a proposed rise in council tax for households in the area.

On Tuesday, January 30, the council met to discuss their budget for the year ahead, and decided upon a precept increase of around 24%.

According to the meeting agenda, this will see an average band D property in the area pay an extra £27.31 in council tax this year - with a new price of £143.41 set for such households compared to £116.10 in 2023/24.

The news comes after Somerset Council proposed a county-wide ten percent rise in council tax and encouraged town councils to take on more responsibilities as a result of the unitary council's ongoing financial emergency.

It was announced last week that the UK Government could provide up to £5million in funding to Somerset Council, although this is not even close to filling the budget gap of £100million for next year.