COUNCIL tax in Ludlow is set to rise after the town council agreed a 5.5 per cent increase in its precept.

Ludlow Town Council’s budget precept, the amount it requests from residents, will increase from £780,645 to £823,696. The council’s income streams are expected to fetch in a further £297,111.00.

The proposed budget will mean an annual increase in council tax for an average band D property of £13.02 per year, an increase of around 25p per week.

The rise will be added to an anticipated 4.99 per cent across the board increase in Shropshire Council’s precept for 2024-25.

The council has budgeted £240,000 for loan repayments and overheads, while salaries of the council’s 19 staff amount to a further £608,000.

Maintenance of the Guildhall is expected to run to £22,000 while shop rent on the Buttercross will cost a further £20,000. Around £33,000 has been allocated for grants and community projects.

Income from the markets is expected to raise £133,000, by far the biggest earner for council coffers.