MACHYNLLETH Town Council was “loathe” to increase its council tax precept by 18.7 per cent, the town council clerk has said, stressing that it was felt necessary.

The council had come under fire from former councillor and mayor Gareth Jones after councillors at a meeting held behind closed doors accepted an increase in the town council’s share of council tax of 18.7 per cent.

While mayor Tony Jones had said the increase was needed to create a contingency fund, provide staff pay rises and replace IT equipment, Gareth Jones had questioned the need for the inflation-busting increase.

However, in a letter sent to Mr Jones on behalf of the council and seen by the Cambrian News, new town council clerk Jim Griffiths said the decision had not been an easy one for councillors.

He said: “The town council takes its responsibilities very seriously and is loathe to make unnecessary loadings on the community without good reason.

“In real terms it has been estimated that the increase will affect a Machynlleth Band D house by 58p per week. This equates to less than the price of one Mars bar a week.”

Mr Jones had criticised the council’s claim that it needed to establish a contingency fund, but in the letter Mr Griffiths explained that had become necessary after the council’s reserves had been drained.

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