THE chief executive of Kidderminster Town Council has explained why its share of tax has shot up by 16.5 per cent.

Hugh Peacocke said the rise is in part due to grant aid disappearing for three parks taken over by the council.

He said: "The main element of the increase is due to the fact that the town council has taken on responsibility and ownership of three parks from the district council.

"The district council has provided grant aid towards the parks expenditure for the past three years and this will disappear in 2024/25.

"This year the grant totalled £93,400 and the town council needs to precept for the entire amount in 24/25.

"This accounts for almost 2/3 of the entire increase of 16.5% (£93,000 out of £145,000.)"

He also explained that other pressures on the precept include inflation on wages, materials and utilities.

Mr Peacocke added: "It should be noted that the KTC precept accounts for only 3 per cent of the total council tax bill for those households in Kidderminster who are liable for Council Tax.

"The Band D equivalent was £59.46 per dwelling, £1.14 per week. (The average Band D parish precept across the UK in 22-23 was £74.81 per dwelling)".