Machynlleth councillors will consider a town council tax rise of over four per cent as they prepare to agree a budget for the next financial year.

The town council came under fire last year for imposing an 18.7 per cent increase in its precept for the town council’s share of council tax and have admitted that they would be unable to justify a massive increase again.

But they have warned that a proposed increase of 4.43 per cent could be imposed to ensure the council has enough cash to respond to any emergency situations, especially with the council facing costs for the removal of trees around Y Plas and potentially in Maengwyn Street.

While town council clerk Jim Griffiths had drawn up five options of precept increases of between 1.26 per cent and 13.9 per cent, he warned councillors that they would not be able to justify the two largest increases of 13.9 per cent or 7.59 per cent.

He said: “I would strongly recommended that, unless you can come up with a very good reason, you disregard the last two figures. You may get 4.43 per cent accepted on the basis that work on the trees is needed and needs to be paid for.”

The town council’s draft budget is currently based on a precept rise of 1.26 per cent which would raise £160,000 income, helping provide the council with a budget of £390,250.

An increase of 4.43 per cent would see the council receive £165,000, an amount that councillors said could provide a buffer in case there are unexpected bills.

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