KNUTSFORD Town Council is set to increase its tax precept for the next financial year by almost 30 per cent.

Soaring energy bills and inflation have seen costs rise.

But the vast majority of the hike has been caused by a substantial increase in the wage bill, a meeting of the full council heard on Monday.

The proposed precept for 2023/24 of £572,184 - an increase of £134,240 on last year - was approved.

This results in the annual council tax for a Band D household for the upcoming year being £97.46, a rise of £22.38 or 29.58 per cent.

This works out at an increase of £1.85 per month, giving a monthly total of £8.11.

This compares with last year’s Band D rate of £75.08.

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Knutsford mayor Cllr Mike Houghton said: “Inflationary pressures, dramatic energy costs and an increase to staff costs, partially resulting from a national pay settlement for all council workers has, unfortunately resulted in an increase in the precept for the next financial year.

“We are acutely aware of the financial pressures being faced by many in Knutsford and have worked hard to minimise these increases.”

In November last year, the finance committee identified £18,200 worth of savings and ahead of Monday's meeting, found a further reduction of £2,445. 

Staffing costs are set to rise from a net £287,920 to a net £360,695, a rise of £72,775.

A review established that the majority of salaries were below recommended scales and resulted in adjustments to the pay scales of most staff members.

The increase in inflation levels has also been reflected in national pay negotiations which uplifted all salaries.

During the debate, Cllr Stewart Gardiner said: “We do recognise that we need to pay our staff an appropriate salary because if we don’t, then we can’t do all of the things that we do as a council.”

But he criticised the soaring cost of the town’s festivities.

“Christmas events seem to be getting more and more expensive,” said Cllr Gardiner.

“Looking at the switch on event the costs are mind blowing for an organisation of this size.

“Are we trying to compete with our city neighbours?”

A deficit of £8,000 on the music festival, which attracted only £1,000 in sponsorship, was also highlighted.

Cllr Gardiner suggested asking businesses to contribute £10,000 in the coming year.

“Lots of businesses who operate in the town centre and evening entertainment venues benefit from the music festival,” he said.

"If they want it to go ahead and reap the benefits they're going to have to put their hands in their pockets.

“We have to recognise that we have a responsibility to the public.

“We have to make sure that if we are going to run events that those events are at least washing their face.”

Town council clerk Adam Keppel-Green said: “That is overly ambitious.

“A number of businesses are struggling to keep their doors open with rising business rates, energy costs and reduced expenditure.

“It would be foolhardy to expect to get £10,000 out of them in the next year.”

The precept payable to the town council is only a small fraction of the total council tax bill householders face.

Cheshire East Council, as well as the police and fire authorities, will set their own precepts for the upcoming financial year.