EMBSAY-with-Eastby Parish Council has approved its 2015-2016 draft budget and precept .

It has set its budget at £19,900, with a precept of £19,860 - a 25 per cent increase over last year’s budget and precept.

Chairman Cllr Gillian Quinn said: “The considerable increase is most unusual and reflects the genuine need to fund a number of new and essential services and activities in anticipation of forming a new parish council in May 2015.

“This includes taking on the services of a planning consultant to assist new and inexperienced members in dealing with major local land development proposals, additional website management costs, set up costs for a new parish clerk, funding for the May 2015 local election and additional grass cutting responsibilities.

"We have had no significant budget increases in five years under our current parish council and so this action is highly unique and one we did not take lightly.

"While the overall increase seems high, this will amount to no more than an additional annual tax burden of £5.10 per band D household or ten pence per week.

“We hope local residents will appreciate and accept the need for this increase and acknowledge that their parish council has once again made a special effort to examine in detail each and every council expenditure and activity."

A copy of the new budget has been posted on the council website at embsaywitheastby.org.uk and hard copies can be obtained by contacting the parish clerk on 01282 850851.