RESIDENTS in West Dorset are paying some of the highest council tax bills in the country, according to a report.

According to analysis of government figures by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, the band D council tax bill for West Dorset is the 10th highest in the country, standing at £1,822.10.

A report states this is an increase of more than 74 per cent (£1,112.68) over the last decade. Council tax bills for 1997/98 for a band D property stood at £709.42.

West Dorset District Council has queried the figures, with the authority’s website Dorset For You stating the bill for a band D property is £1,731.79 – comprising £1,326.87 which goes to Dorset County Council, £194.58 for Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, £70.59 for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and £139.75 for West Dorset District Council.

But some residents have to pay a further precept for town and parish councils. The council tax bill for a band D property in Bridport is £1,926.66. In Beaminster residents pay £1,841.88 and in Lyme Regis the bill is £1,792.83.

Using these figures, residents in Bridport are paying some of the highest bills in the country. According to the TaxPayers’ Alliance research, the highest council tax bill is Weymouth and Portland at £1,890.83. But the figure for band D properties in Bridport, when including the precept for Bridport Town Council, tops this amount. Residents in Weymouth do not pay an equivalent precept as there is currently no town council.

Residents in Westminster pay the lowest council tax in the country, at £688.14 for a band D property. 

John O’Connell, chief executive at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Councils have been raising tax year in, year out for decades, and continue to demand even more. Councillors should remember that council tax is a major burden on residents and a huge contributor to the cost of living. Councils should look to reduce spending before hitting taxpayers with yet another round of painful tax hikes.”

Bridport Town Council will meet to decide its precept for 2018/19 on Tuesday (23), which could see a further raise.

The town council’s Band D charge is currently £194.87.

Councillors will be asked to consider three options: a raise of 4.51 per cent on a band D property (equivalent to £8.80 per year); a raise of 6.27 per cent (£12.21); or a raise of 8.02 per cent (£15.63).

A spokesman said: “The town council has had to find over £13,000 each year to meet the cost of the loss of the Council Tax Support Grant. In total, over 5 years, the town council has had a reduction of £58,237 in this funding.

“It has safeguarded services that were under review or at risk of closure including the Tourist Information Centre, that it now manages and the Bridport Youth and Community Centre that is now run by an independent Trust with funding support from the town council. 

“The council is asked to make provision to protect discretionary services, such as the management of public toilets, that could be at risk from the establishment of unitary authorities and also to make provision to support a new community bus scheme.”

The town council offers grant funding to a number of local organisations as well as managing services such as the allotments, cemetery, play areas and market.

The Bridport News also contacted West Dorset District Council for comment.

Cllr Peter Barrowcliff, West Dorset District Council Portfolio Holder for Corporate, said:

“The accurate Council Tax figures for West Dorset can be found on the Dorset For You website. West Dorset District Council are the collectors of Council Tax and receive 8 per cent of the total amount collected. The remaining amount is then distributed amongst the following beneficiaries; Dorset County Council, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority and the appropriate Town or Parish Council.

This means that the amount given to West Dorset District Council is £139.75, which is a lower figure in comparison to a number of local areas, such as The Purbecks, South Somerset and North Devon.”