Exclusive by Alan Quick

CREDITON Town Council has increased its precept to enable it to buy the Council Office building in Market Street from Mid Devon District Council, and to ensure essential community services remain in Crediton.

At the council’s December meeting the budget and precept for the 2017-2018 financial year was agreed, which included increasing the precept by 12 per cent.

It says this increase equates to an additional £8.92 per year on a Band D property, taking the annual band D precept to £83.15.

The council says the decision was made by councillors in order to retain and improve services and facilities that are vital and beneficial across the town.

The Town Council also said it has become increasingly concerned about the future of the Council Office building, following Mid Devon District Council withdrawing its services in March 2016.

The building, which is currently owned and managed by Mid Devon District Council, provides a wide range of essential local community services including, Citizens Advice, Community Transport, Churches Housing Action Team, Plough and Share Credit Union and the Town Council.

The council said there was concern that these services would be threatened if Mid Devon District Council decided to sell the building, so in a bid to retain these services the Town Council proposes to buy the building from Mid Devon District Council.

The Mayor, Councillor Frank Letch, said: “The Council Office building is a valuable community asset, in which the Town Council wants to invest and improve upon for the long-term benefit of the community.”

A statement released by the Town Council today, Monday, December 19, said: “Due to prudent financial management over several years and by maximising its income via grant funding and provision of services to other agencies, the Town Council has been able to increase its general fund.

“This money will be used towards the purchase of the Council office building.

“Over the last few years, Crediton Town Council has been taking on additional services which otherwise would have been lost due to District and County Council budget cuts.

“These have included public toilets, youth provision, highway grass verge cutting and weed control.”

The Town Clerk, Clare Dalley, explained that in agreeing the budget and precept for 2017-2018 the Town Council had considered the following:

• The need to provide important facilities and services which the District and County Councils will no longer pay for.

• Continuing to provide support following the loss of the District Council’s office in the town.

• The continuing reduction in the Council Tax Support Grant from Mid Devon District Council (13 per cent less for 2017/18).

• The role of the Council in supporting a range of local groups that provide valuable community networks and social support.

• Increasing youth work in the Town by supporting a new detached youth project.

• Taking over the management of three play areas from Mid Devon District Council to retain them as community amenity areas.