A COUNCILLOR warned his peers not to “antagonise the business community” as proposals to increase charges for Lyme Regis firms were agreed.

Members of Lyme Regis Town Council’s strategy and finance committee set charges for alfresco licences, website advertising and Bell Cliff advertising boards, as well as car parking permits and the hire of the Marine Parade shelters for the 2017/18 financial year.

The committee agreed not to further increase charges for the Cart Road day beach huts. The rates will be increased at seasonal times next year, and Cllr Stephen Miller proposed a further 10 per cent increase for 2018, which was defeated.

Councillors agreed to increase rates for businesses with alfresco licences for the first time since 2012, but a proposal to hike up the charge for advertising boards at Bell Cliff failed to gain the support of the committee.

Cllr Brian Larcombe said: “These businesses should recognise that they are getting it cheap.

“A business that cannot afford £120 from £100 for a year is in a bit of a spot. These are fairly successful businesses.”

Cllr Jeff Scowen said: “I think this council should be very wary about antagonising the business community.

“We are trying to engage with them as it is, and it will just push them away.

“We have got to be seen to be supporting the business community. They are not making a fortune.”

The charge for the boards will remain at £100 per year.

Charges for hiring space at the Marine Parade Shelters will be held for 2018/19 but each section at the top will be available at a charge of £100.

There will be no increase in charges for amenities, website advertising and weddings and civil marriages – while three-day tickets at Woodmead Halls car park will increase to £20 next year, and a weekly ticket will rise to £40.

Parking permits at Woodmead Halls will not be further increased from the £175 per year it will cost residents next financial year, and £300 for non-residents. Permits for holiday accommodation will cost £500 next financial year and £550 the following year.