Frodsham Town Council agreed its spending plans for the next 12 months at its meeting on 14th January.
Two major projects will be funded in the coming year and a Council Manager will be appointed to oversee day to day management.
To meets these costs, a precept paid by Frodsham residents of £269,066 will be required. This amounts to £72.78 a year for the average (Band D) household: an annual increase of £13.65 or 26p a week. These figures will be presented to the Council for formal approval on 28th January.
The budgets of each committee were scrutinised to limit the impact of the increase and a number of savings were approved.
The increase will allow the Town Council to the extend the cemetery into the unused upper portion. The work is essential as the current burial area will soon be full.
The War Memorial is in a vulnerable condition and requires conservation and repair works, including new foundations, cleaning and repointing the obelisk, base, plinths and surrounding apron and repair and repainting of the railings. The Memorial Field entrance gates and railings also need repair and refurbishment. The estimated cost of these works is £115,000, although the War Memorials Trust have agreed a grant of £30,000 towards the costs.
The Council has also decided to employ a full-time Council Manager to replace the vacant Town Clerk post following evaluation by the Cheshire Association of Local Councils. The Council Manager will deal with the complex projects which have been initiated by the Council and there will be a greater emphasis on community engagement.