COUNCILLORS have voted to increase the council tax precept by £23,909 in order to prepare to take on more services in the reorganisation of local government in Dorset.

Members of Bridport Town Council's finance and general purposes committee, voted to increase the authority's annual charge by £11.60 for Band D households. Five members opted for the increase of 6.3 per cent while four voted for an £8.18 annual increase, which would have given a balanced budget. The increase would give the authority £582,700 and provide an extra £10,000 towards "future delegated services".

The decision could be amended when the full council meets on Tuesday.

In a report to councillors, town clerk Bob Gillis, suggested three options, with option two of an £8.18 increase providing a balanced budget and was favoured by the authority's council tax working group.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Anne Rickard spoke out in support of giving the council more revenue to potentially take on services.

She said: "Five pence more a week will get us £10,000 more to work with.

"Considering the situation we are in now with all the cuts, it would make a huge, huge difference and we are going to be cut even more next year."

She added: "It's going to hit people hard.

"If you take the annual increase of option three over two, it's about the price of a pint of beer. Most people manage to find that over a year."

In the next financial year, the town council will receive its final council tax support grant from West Dorset District Council, which has been gradually reduced over the last few years.

Cllr Sandra Brown and Cllr Keith Day spoke out in favour of option B, to keep a balanced budget.

Last year, the town council took over the running of the Tourist Information Centre after the district council cut funding, while a £5,000 grant from the authority helped a trust take over Bridport Youth Centre after Dorset County Council withdrew funding.

Leader of the council, Cllr Sarah Williams said she was also swayed to back the larger increase of the precept to safeguard against the impact of the reorganisation of local government.

She said: "My fear is what is likely to come out of next year through West Dorset's asset stripping and also from the county council. I think there will be an increase in cuts before the unitary comes in.

"I feel we need to be ready for that increase, which makes me think option three maybe a sensible way to go."

The third option was also backed by Cllr Kelvin Clayton and Cllr Gillian Massey.

Cllr Massey said: "People are getting a lot for their money from us and they will be getting even more over the next two years."

Bridport Town Council will confirm the council tax precept charge at Tuesday's meeting.