PARISH and town councils across West Somerset are likely to see a rise in council tax as West Somerset Council “can no longer afford” to issue them a rebate.

West Somerset Council receives government funding to help towards the cost of council services, including tax rebates, but in the coming year, these have been reduced by central government.

In the past, parish and town councils have received funding from West Somerset Council towards the impact of rebates on the money they raise through council tax.

However, cuts to West Somerset Council alongside a predicted budget gap of £316,000 next year, have resulted in the district council making the “difficult” but necessary decision to cut the council tax rebate to parish and town councils in order to “balance its budget”.

The council has written to all parish and town councils to offer them advice and to let them know that they “will need to raise the funding from local taxpayers in their area”.

Cllr Leslie Smith, who sits on West Somerset Council and is the Mayor of Minehead, was just one of two councillors who voted against the decision.

He said: “Minehead’s council tax could see an increase of about 12.8% – which is worrying for those who are on the borderline.

“We could use some of the reserve money, but that just means now that local clubs looking for grants are less likely to get them.

“We can’t do the impossible.

“They say they have no means of raising the money elsewhere, but I disagree.

“For instance, charging more at council owned car parks is one way.”

Christine Oliver, chairman of Dunster Parish Council, is “very disappointed” with the decision.

She said: “Obviously this means that we are going to have to ask people for more money, which isn’t going to be easy for some people.”

Further plans for Dunster are to be discussed at a parish council meeting next week.

Those who receive financial help from West Somerset Council’s council tax rebate scheme towards their council tax bills, such as pensioners, will be unaffected.