Midhurst tax precept could increase 18.8 per cent

Midhurst Town Council is proposing an increase in the precept for 2023/24.

It is proposed that the councils precept is increased 18.8 per cent, which would see band D households paying and additional £1.38 on their monthly council tax bill.

Carol Lintott, chair of Midhurst Town Council, said: "The Town Council have surveyed residents with a view to increasing the precept for the financial year 2023/2024.

"Along with increases to general operating costs, the increase is primarily required to fund the proposed purchase of Lilac Cottage which is attached and integral to, the Council’s Offices, Chamber and Community space at the Old Library. The Council plan to transform the cottage into a base for the Midhurst Community Hub while providing much needed extra space for the Council.

"The Old Library and Lilac Cottage were originally one property but the titles were split when the Town council acquired the Old Library with West Sussex County Council retaining ownership of the Cottage - an internal connecting door still remains between the two properties. The opportunity to purchase the cottage came unexpectedly during the summer and clearly was not something that could be budgeted for across a number of financial years which is what the council had been able to do when the Old Library was acquired.

"The council have been working with the Governments Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to secure a Public Works Loan Board loan (repayable at a fixed rate over a 25 year term) to enable the purchase and refurbishment of the cottage and re establish the whole of the original Old Library site. If the Council are successful in securing the loan and therefore, the property, the increase to Council tax for a Band D property would equate to £1.38 per month. At the time of writing we cannot confirm whether the Council will be successful in securing the loan or the property. The precept request is due to be submitted to Chichester District Council in January."

You can find the survey online by searching: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FMCLMFM