TAXPAYERS in Westbury are paying for the town council's decision to take over The Laverton, this year's budget has revealed.
Westbury Town Council budget for 2004/05 was announced on Monday, including a £100,000 bill for the council chambers to be funded by a tax hike.
Households will now pay on average extra £20 in council tax to cover a 33 per cent rise in the town council's precept.
The announcement is the first clue to how the council aims to fund The Laverton after civic leaders agreed to take trusteeship in December.
A business plan will be released this month and the council has begun a recruitment campaign to find a manager.
Horace Prickett, town mayor, said: "We have had it cheaper for the past 30 years compared to other towns in West Wiltshire because we haven't paid for accommodation.
"Now the time has come to Westbury and I very much regret increasing the rates but I would not have done it if there was any other way to achieve the money required."
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