£1.45 rise in precept

THE first rise in the Saddleworth precept for three years has been announced.

Parish councillors agreed at a special budget meeeting to a rise of £1.45 for the average Band D property, meaning taxpayers in Saddleworth will pay £19.35 a year.

Councillor Brian Lord, chairman of the finance and general purposes committee, said: “By very careful housekeeping we have managed to keep the precept at the same level for the last three years. Constantly rising overheads have made it impossible to keep absorbing the increased costs. No one likes to add to family bills but we were left with no choice.”