A BUDGET for future benefits has been set by Dartmouth Town Council.

A special meeting on Thursday approved a precept of £295,618 for 2017/18 – a 64 per cent hike on last year representing an increase of £40.89 per annum for a band D property to £107.76.

The rise will enable the town council to press ahead with the transfer of assets from South Hams Council.

Mayor Cllr Rob Lyon said: ‘Now is the time to invest more for the long-term benefit of the town.

‘Both Devon County Council and South Hams Council are cutting back and If we want the town to be successful and look good and for people to have a good quality of life then we must take up the slack.’

Cllr Richard Rendle said it was ‘crazy’ to consider a 64 per cent increase, claiming the figures were ‘shallow’.

He expressed concerns over the lack of council reserves and questioned what due diligence had been undertaken in the assets takeover.

Devolution could be achieved but would take a number of years, he maintained.

But chairman of finance Cllr Tony Fyson said he was confident it was a sound budget and the council approved it by eight votes to six.

A full report of the meeting will appear in next week’s Chronicle.