THE parishes and Crediton Town Council have now decided on their budgets and set their precepts.

In general terms the parishes have made little change but Crediton Town Council has raised its precept by 17 per cent.

The town council has taken on several services devolved from higher tier authorities and puts on a number of events which are much valued by the town and its visitors.

Crediton Town Council has published a comprehensive press release to inform residents.

Mid Devon District Council will finalise its budget soon but it is fair to say it will mean cuts and increases in charges.

There will be increases in planning charges and on use of the leisure centres. There are several more smaller increases you can view on line.

As the MDDC council tax is quite a large chunk of your final bill I suggest you look online to see the final bill.

Devon County Council can raise its council tax by 4.99 per cent and as this is more than half of your bill it is worth checking final figures.

Much of the increase will go to children’s services and to adult care services. There are two proposals that might affect many of you.

The first is to instigate a consultation on paid parking on Crediton High Street (and in seven other towns) and to raise the pupils’ concessionary bus fares by 30per cent. My party (the Liberal Democrats) is questioning both proposals.

It seems that the members Locality Fund is to be reduced.

When I was elected, almost two years ago, it stood at £10k, which enabled me to fund a wide range of community projects throughout my division.

Last year it was reduced to £8k and this year to £5k, which means at has quickly halved.

At this rate it will disappear soon.

Again my party is questioning the justification of such a dramatic change.

Potholes still form a large percentage of my email box. There are complaints that some potholes are filled but large adjacent potholes are left unfilled because “they are not on the system”!

I would like to reiterate that the best way to point out a pothole is online, using the DCC website. I have no more power over the system than you.

Lastly you may be aware that at the next elections in May you will need photo ID to be able to vote.

This means a valid passport, driving licence with photo or a bus pass.

I recommend that you register for a postal vote.

It costs nothing and you have a two-week window in which to vote.

You can contact Electoral Services in MDDC or if in doubt contact me.

Cllr Frank Letch MBE