A LOWER than inflation council tax increase of two per cent is being proposed by Dorchester Town Council for the coming financial year.

The council's income has been helped by earning added interest on investments during the year and a growth in the number of homes in the town which brings in more tax revenue.

The effect of the 2per cent increase will add £4.12 over the course of the year to the average Band D home, bringing the town council's share of the council tax to £210.33 for a property in that band.

Dorset Council, whose charges make up the majority of the council tax, is expected to agree an increase of just under five per cent bringing its share of the council tax to over £2,000 a year for Band D properties for the first time. The unitary authority is now the 13th most expensive in the country for council tax charges.

Dorchester's bigger neighbour, Weymouth town council, is to be one of the few councils not make any increase in its council tax for the coming year with residents in the town continuing to pay £15.14 each month for the town council share on a Band D property.

The Dorchester Town Council 2 per cent rise will allow it to set up a reserve fund for future maintenance on the Poundbury Great Field and take on an additional part-time outdoor services staff member and a new town crier.

Money is also being set aside in the 24-25 budget for works to improve the entrance area to the Corn Exchange/Town Hall complex, for repairs to the Poundbury Cemetery fence and walls and to buy a new electric works vehicle.

Also included in the budget is £24,400 for councillors allowances, £13,000 for Mayoral expenses and £5,600 towards the costs of a new town crier, most of that expected to be used to buy a uniform and hat.

One of the town council's biggest spending areas is for parks and open spaces at a cost of £724,000, followed by £400,000 on the Municipal Buildings complex with £965,000 a year in staff costs.

The council also contributes £8,000 a year to tourism development in the town, £9,000 to Citizens Advice, £21,00 to the Youth and Community Centre and is set to pay out £5,500 during the year for the services of a videographer.

Council accounts show it expects to have around £1.4million in earmarked reserves and £100,000 in general reserves in the 2024/25 year.