Sidmouth Town Council has voted to increase its council tax precept to help fund new services and projects in the Sid Valley

Improvements to the town's tourism promotion and marketing, servicing more public toilets on the esplanade, a commitment to update and ultimately replace the Manstone Youth Centre building and the building of a new Skate Park, are just some of the things Sidmouth Town Council will be using its budget for in 2020/21.

In line with many other town councils across the country, the council has more responsibilities than ever before and many projects that residents have identified as important.

To bring some of those priorities forward and ensure the town continues to be enhanced, the council has agreed to an increase in its precept, which is its share of the Council Tax.

The increase amounts to a £11.68 annual or 22.5p a week Council Tax increase for an average property for 2020/21 to ensure it continues to provide local services for its residents, businesses and visitors.

The increase means the authority's portion of the annual Council Tax bill for a Band D property will be £84.04 a year (£1.67 a week.)

The precept, which was approved by the council on Monday evening (20 January 2020) will enable the council to continue to provide its many local services plus some new projects. The additional public conveniences on the seafront will be open by the summer, meaning that four will be available to beach users and walkers along the Esplanade.

The council will continue to ensure flower beds are colourful and attractive, and verges kept clean and maintained. Water fountains will also continue to be provided along the Esplanade.

To support the environmental agenda, electric charging points will be installed at key locations in the future and advice will be made available to residents to help them reduce their personal carbon footprint.

Commenting on the increased support for tourism, councillor Louise Cole, Chair of the Tourism and Economy Committee said: "Sidmouth, as a coastal town our tourism industry is vital to our economy. It is through improving our tourism promotion that we can help new businesses to set up and established ones to grow. It is how we can attract new visitors and ensure that residents can enjoy a vibrant place to live.

"With the improvements we are making we are responsibly promoting the town and the surrounding areas to attract visitors and respond to market changes and the use of digital technologies. Our new Visit Sidmouth brand has just been successfully introduced, we can now implement it effectively through a new and improved Town Guide and new campaigns using digital approaches whilst finding out more about our visitor base."

The council made further provision for managing and maintaining Sidmouth's unique Firebeacon Nature reserve.

The Council also agreed to award over £16,000 in grants to 20 organisations across the Sid Valley, supporting both the younger and older residents, as well as cultural, sporting and environmental activities.

The Festivals that entertain and inspire both residents and visitors alike were supported including the Science Festival, Sea Fest, Literary Festival, the Carnival and the Walking Festival whilst Sidmouth Folk Festival, Sidmouth in Bloom and Sidmouth Town Band continue to receive support.

Deputy Member with Special Responsibility for Finance, councillor Chris Lockyear said: "This budget represents significant investment in youth services, tourism and the practical things that help those who live in the Sid Valley.

"I am also pleased that we have been able to help so many organisations that support the cultural, sporting and environmental activities in the Valley. The fact that the grants were oversubscribed shows we have a vibrant community of which we should all be proud."