Tenby Town Council has agreed its budget for 2018.

At their first meeting of the new year on Tuesday night, members of the council unanimously supported the budget plans for the year, with the Band D equivalent precept levy increasing to £61.55, an increase of 5.09 per cent on last year.

“Council will see that when the Revenue and Capital budgets are combined, the total planned gross expenditure proposed is £289,999.14, which includes an ambitious £10,500 capital programme,” the town clerk, Andrew Davies, explained in his report to councillors.

“Although expected income from normal sources is only marginally increasing, anticipated funding from grants, if achievable, Section 106 agreements, and earmarking of reserves leaves a net precept requirement of £177,23.29.

“With a marginal upward revision in the Council Tax base this year, this requires an increase of the Band D equivalent precept levy to £61.55, an uplift of £2.98, on last year,” he continued.

The report explained how sums for the proposed expansion of the skate park area at the Jubilee Park, the lighting of the town walls, and the provision of adding missing names to the War Memorial, had been included.

“I have given conservative estimates of projected cost and an anticipated, but not guaranteed, estimate of how much could be raised through grant aid and other fundraising,” continued Mr. Davies.

“As per the Budget Working Party recommendation, I have earmarked £10,000 of unallocated Regeneration Fund reserves towards the town walls lighting project.”

Provision to cover promoting Christmas activities and towards the ‘Park and Ride’ scheme from The Salterns during pedestrianisation has been maintained.

Last year, the council’s £5,000 contribution towards the Ironman Wales event was funded from reserves, but has been precepted for this year.

No provision has been made in relation to a suggestion that the town council provides funding towards the re-provision of a ‘Park and Ride’ bus from the North Beach car park during the pedestrianisation scheme, but this could be a project that could access Second Homes Premium funding, Mr. Davies explained in the report.

Councillors unanimously agreed to support the budget plans for the year, with Clr. Laurence Blackhall commenting at the meeting that an increase had been inevitable, as the town council were hoping to carry out £100,000 of work projects in 2018 for the benefit of the town and the community.