TROWBRIDGE Town Council has defended a 22.9 per cent rise in its precept for 2024/25 as council tax bills are posted to thousands of residents.

The local council's share of the total bill will go up to £270.65 in 20924/25, from last year's £220.31 - an increase of £50.34 a year or 96p a week.

But residents are demanding to know what it’s being spent on.

Town council leader Stewart Palmen says the charge has been driven by the cost of taking over Wiltshire Council services such as street cleaning and grass cutting, plus sharp rises in costs, particularly for electricity and gas.

The council is also planning to sign an agreement this week to take over the management of the town’s Down Cemetery from April 1.

The steep rise in the local precept has already been condemned by the Conservative group on the council, who say it has risen by 33 per cent over the past two years.

One resident said on social media: “This will be the second year in a row Trowbridge residents had had to absorb a massive increase for the takeover of services from Wiltshire Council.

“The article referred to doesn’t quite explain the reason why the rise needs to be so high. However, now that it is set so high, residents really do need to start holding their councillors to account for value for money.

“Residents need to get along to council meetings and make their grievances known."

The man urged residents to voice their concerns at the next full council meeting at Trowbridge Civic Centre on Tuesday, March 19.

Cllr Palmen is encouraging people to turn out to the polls, saying if they wish to vote out the ruling Liberal Democrats then that is their prerogative.

He said: “If you are not happy with what has happened, then you can vote for others who do want to cut back on what the town council offers.”

The latest Council Tax bill shows a 2.99 per cent charge for Wiltshire Council’s precept, plus two per cent for Wiltshire Council’s adult social care levy, making a total of 4.99 per cent, equating to around £85 extra per year for a typical Band D household.

In the 2024/25 financial year, a Band D household will pay £1,805.73 to Wiltshire Council, of which, £1,545.45 is for basic council tax, and £260.28 for the adult social care levy.

The bill also shows 5.1 per cent rise for Wiltshire & Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson’s annual budget and a three per cent rise for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. The charges would equate to £269.27 and £86.95 respectively on the bills for a Band D property.