RESIDENTS could pay more for their council tax under proposals by Bridport Town Council.

The town council's finance and general purposes committee are set to decide the authority's share of the precept, subject to the approval of the full council.

The town council will receive a further reduction of the council tax support grant from West Dorset District Council during the next financial year.

The 2017 to 2018 financial year will be the final year in which the grant will provide any income for the town council.

If the authority's council tax charge is not increased, it would leave the town council with a budget deficit of almost £24,000.

Town clerk Bob Gillis said: "The major source of income for the town council remains the precept.

"If the precept was to remain unchanged, the deficit to be funded from these draft estimates is £23,909. It is open to members to decide the level of the precept."

Three draft options have been put forward for increasing the council tax precept. The first option is to increase the precept by £13,909 - raising £562,700 and providing a deficit budget of £10,000. The second and preferred option is to increase the precept by £23,909 - raising £572,700 and providing a balanced budged. The third option would be to increase the precept by £33,909 - which would raise £582,700 and give the authority "a cushion of an additional £10,000 towards future delegated services".

Mr Gillis added: "Three options are put forward and after further discussion with members of the budget working group, the preferred option was that shown as option two. However members are not limited to these and other options can be considered.

"Members are reminded that the town council’s element is only one part of the overall council tax bill, which includes elements from other precepting authorities."

The current charge for a Band D property by the town council is £183.22. Option one would bring about a 2.6 per cent increase, amounting to £4.76 a year, option two would see a 4.46 per cent increase of £8.18 a year and option three would see an annual increase of £11.60 for a Band D property - a 6.33 per cent increase.