VILLAGERS in Porlock have been given an explanation as to why their parish council has increased its precept this year.

The council has marginally increased its draw on council taxpayers for the 2025-26 year to £117,031, which means owners of average ‘Band D’ properties will pay £30.30, up by 4.5 per cent on last year, equivalent to a 58p per week rise.

Parish clerk Johnathan Jones said: “No decision to increase the precept is ever made lightly.”

But, Mr Jones said the parish council, like any other organisation, was not immune from the ever-increasing costs they faced.

Mr Jones said: “Over the past few years, many of our services have been managed through councillor and volunteer time and goodwill.

“However this does not provide a true year on year view of what it really costs to maintain current services.”

Mr Jones said staff salaries and an extra part-time administrative officer had almost entirely driven this year’s precept increase.

He said: “This decision was made to ensure that all necessary tasks continue to be completed efficiently, as we continue to operate with a small number of councillors, six out of 12, and despite our efforts to attract new faces, this is not expected to change in the near future.”

Mr Jones said the council managed a number of key assets in the village, including the Old School Centre, Hawkcombe Cemetery, public toilets, car parks, and footpaths, maintained open spaces and carried out grounds maintenance work, and in partnership operated Porlock Community Library.

He said: “We remain committed to serving the community through a wide range of services and facilities.

“Our overall focus is aimed at fostering a vibrant and well-maintained community for Porlock’s businesses and residents and its visitors.”

Last year, Porlock’s precept increase was nearly 22 per cent.