THE decision to increase Ilminster's council tax precept by a staggering 39% continues to be the talk of the town this week.

The increase amounts to £2.22 a month for an average household, with the council saying that this amounted to just a Mars bar a week.

Last week the News conducted a phone poll, asking “Do you support the decision to raise the council tax precept in Ilminster by 39%?” The results are in, with 94% of those who voted answering No, and just 6% responding Yes.

Ilminster Mayor Cllr Carol Goodall said that the results are not overly disappointing - and stressed that overwhelmingly people in the town have been extremely supportive of the move.

Cllr Goodall said: “The people I have spoken to have all said they accept the fact that we have had to put the precept up.

"The present town council takes what they are doing seriously - we don't take decisions lightly. A decision has been taken by the town council - a unanimous decision - end of story.”

Some of the money is being spent on installing a new skate park and multi use games area (MUGA) for children to use on the recreation ground - while some will be used to support the town's current facilities and minimise the impact of cuts to district and county council services.

Cllr Goodall added: “I have had people walk up to me and say we agree with what the town council is doing - trying to push Ilminster forward. An awful lot of discussion went into it.”