Long Sutton Parish Council plans to increase precept to pay for King Charles III coronation celebrations and memorial gate refurbishment

Celebrations to mark King Charles III’s coronation and a memorial gate refurbishment are among the reasons behind a rise in a parish council’s precept.

Long Sutton Parish Council will be setting its share of the council tax bill at £130,000. It’s previous precept - the total paid by residents for its services - was £110,000.

The council has budgeted £5,000 for the coronation celebrations in May, which will include two events - fireworks and beacon lighting.

At the recent council meeting, it was said £6,000 will be set aside to refurbish gates at Winfrey Park.

Members were also told that the council will be spending £5,000 on grass cutting and it was also pointed out that it funds the garden waste collection enjoyed by residents.

The meeting, in the former United Reformed Church in London Road, was told that the council gets £9,000 in income.

Council chairman John Clarey said: “We are looking to spend £142,000 but I propose we set it at £130,000 and take the rest out of reserves with the current economic circumstance we are in.”

l Councillors stood for a minute’s silence to honour former chairman Coun Ruth Barber, who had died in December. Coun Clarey paid tribute to Coun Barber’s dedication to fundraising for the town’s Christmas lights and the skate park.

He said: “She was a lovely lady and you always knew where you stood with her.”

l The water pump in the town’s Market Place has also been undergoing some refurbishment.

Coun Graham Garrett said: “The top has been done and just need to some work on the trim at the top. It should last for another 25 years.

“I would like to thank Wright’s Asphalt who have done the work free of charge and have done a good job.”

*Members were also told that a sign to the allotments had been removed by the county council.