Households in Shepton Mallet are set to see a significant increase in their council tax bills from April 2025, as multiple authorities raise their share of local taxation.

• Somerset Council is proposing a 7.5% council tax increase to address a major budget shortfall.
• The police precept is rising by £14 per year for Band D households to fund policing services.
• Shepton Mallet Town Council's precept is increasing slightly, adding 20p per week to Band D bills.

So, how much more will residents actually pay?

How much more will Shepton Mallet households pay?

The total council tax bill is made up of different precepts from Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police, the Fire Service, and Shepton Mallet Town Council.

If all proposed increases go ahead, Band D households in Shepton Mallet will pay:

• Somerset Council's proposed 7.5% increase – this would add around £1.88 per week (£98 per year).
• Police precept increase – this will add £1.16 per month (£14 per year).
• Shepton Mallet Town Council precept increase – this adds 20p per week (£10.40 per year).

Total impact for Band D households:

Around £122 extra per year (equivalent to approximately £2.34 more per week).

For households in different council tax bands, the increase will vary. Higher bands (E-H) will pay even more, while lower bands (A-C) will see slightly smaller increases.

Why is council tax going up?

Somerset Council's 7.5% increase

Somerset Council has been granted permission by the government to raise council tax by up to 7.5%, higher than the usual 5% cap, to help plug an £88.8 million budget shortfall. Even with drastic cost-cutting measures—including staff reductions and asset sales—the council is still facing a £53.8 million funding gap for 2025/26.

• The increase is part of Exceptional Financial Support, which allows struggling councils to raise tax above the usual cap.
• Even with the tax rise, the council still needs to sell off assets and borrow money to stay afloat.
• Major financial pressures include rising costs in adult and children's social care.

Avon and Somerset Police precept increase

The policing portion of council tax is rising by £14 per year for Band D households, following approval by the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel.

• Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody said the rise is needed to maintain frontline policing, tackle knife crime, and improve charge rates for serious offences.
• Panel members supported the increase but stressed the need for real improvements in policing services across the region.

Shepton Mallet Town Council precept increase

Shepton Mallet Town Council has set its precept at £6.07 per week for Band D households, an increase of 20p per week compared to last year.

• The town council's precept makes up around 10% of the total council tax bill and funds local services.
• It supports Collett Park, the Cenotaph, and Market Cross, as well as community grants and events like Collett Park Day and the Carnival.
• The town council is also funding services no longer supported by Somerset Council, including CCTV and public toilets.

Controversy over council pay rises

At the same time as asking residents to pay more, Somerset Council has approved a 2.5% pay rise for all staff and councillors, including a £5,000 increase for Chief Executive Duncan Sharkey, who will now earn over £212,000 per year.

• The increase was approved in December 2024, despite the council's financial crisis.
• The council says salaries are set by national pay agreements and that senior staff wages are publicly available online.
• However, some residents have criticised the decision to approve pay hikes while raising council tax and cutting services.

How council tax works—and where your money goes

Council tax is a local tax charged on all residential properties to fund services such as education, waste collection, highways, and emergency services. The amount you pay depends on:

• Your property band (A to H) – Band D is the standard measure, with lower bands paying less and higher bands paying more.
• Where you live – Different authorities set different rates, and town and parish councils add their own precept.

Your total council tax bill is made up of contributions to multiple organisations:

1. Somerset Council – receives the largest share, funding major services.
2. Avon and Somerset Police – funds local policing and crime prevention.
3. Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue – supports emergency response services.
4. Shepton Mallet Town Council – funds local amenities and events.

How can residents have their say?

The final decision on Somerset Council's 7.5% tax increase and budget cuts will be made in the coming weeks. Residents can attend or watch key meetings online to have their say:

• Scrutiny Corporate & Resources – 17 February
• Executive meeting – 19 February
• Full Council budget vote – 26 February (reserve date: 5 March)

Even if the tax hike is approved, further cuts to local services are expected, and the debate over council funding—including senior staff pay rises—is likely to continue.