East Devon District Council (EDDC) is increasing council tax by £5 a year (3.19 per cent) for a band D property.

At its full council meeting on Wednesday February 22, councillors agreed their budget for 2023/24. 

The council continues to take 7p in every pound of the total council tax bill with the rest of the money going to Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and town and parish councils known as the councils' 'precept.'

Councillor Jack Rowland, EDDC portfolio holder for finance said: “Whilst any increase in the EDDC element of the Council tax is regrettable in the current inflationary period the increase is 3.19% and £5 per annum for the average Band D rate payer.

“That is less than a 10p per week increase and despite, in real terms, losing over £50 million over the last decade in central government grants this EDDC budget for 2023/24 is providing the required balanced budget required by law as well as preserving services.

“For 2023/24 the average Band D ratepayer will be paying £161.78 per annum to EDDC, which is equivalent to just over £3 per week for services such as the waste and recycling collections, the Streetscene service in maintaining many parks and open spaces, the contract with LED Community Leisure to operate the swimming pools, gymnasiums and other sport and leisure activities in the district as just a few examples of the services provided by EDDC.”