The Midsomer Norton Town Council budget, which will set next years council tax rates, still does not add up. In spite of extra time being given to debate the numbers at the meeting on December 4, there is still no agreed budget.

The clerk advised councillors not to leave it until the last possible moment, up until just one day before they are legally obliged to fix the spending plans ahead of setting the precept on February 6 next year.

The draft budget has now been sent for further scrutiny, and for so-called homework, as councillors were warned that as it stands there are some very uncomfortable figures to be accepted. At least one current financial scenario would see them being forced into a 30 per cent increase in the precept for Midsomer Norton households.

Assuming all the spending commitments already promised the budget would be in deficit, although there was a lot of debate about by his much, given, for example, an estimate that re opening the town hall would expect to be supported to the tune of many thousands of pounds.

But there was exasperation in the room as it was conceded that no one could put an exact figure on those costs or whether there would be any financial impact when the Somer Centre is handed back.

The meeting at The Hollies heard that some costs, such as staffing, could not be cut, and it accounts for 38 per cent of the town council spend, so there is not much scope to make changes.

One overall budget figure shown to councillors was for total budget for 2024 of £558,489, which would amount to an increase year on year of over 19 per cent for all households.

But as the current Midsomer Norton Mayor Cllr Gordon Mackay pointed out, costs were increasing in all areas, so an increase of just 10 per cent would effectively mean the council just stood still in terms of spending.

Variables include whether the Town Hall, when it re-opens, could generate any income, and whether the Somer Centre, which was handed over by the Town Council to the Trust but is being 'returned' shortly, will incur any costs.

Councillors were told there are reserves which could be used, although legally councils are required to keep money in reserves for any unforeseen events and they would be left financially exposed if they could not meet their legally agreed spending.

Cllr Deborah Thatcher expressed exasperation at the 'frustrating process' of going around in financial circles, when so many figures on the spread sheet were not clear or fixed and asked if the council was effectively being asked to rob Peter to pay Paul.

Whatever happens the precept WILL increase councillors are told

Midsomer Norton Town Council is, according to the clerk, 'financially up against the wall' and the precept, which is part of the council tax calculation will have to go up ; the only question is by how much.

The current council tax for a band D property in Midsomer Norton is £115 with councillors hearing that in comparison with other neighbours, such as Radstock, the precept is low.

"Not so, " argued one councillor. " Over in Keynsham this here is really high, theirs is £95," although she did concede that the town had benefited from a big tranche of levy money due to new developments.

One councillor argued that a small increase would only amount to a couple of pounds a week, nothing compared to a Netflix subscription, which was good value if the council could commit to funding services for youth in the town and be seen to invest in the town's youngsters.

Cllr Martin Thatcher was quick to retort: " There are people out there (indicating outside in Midsomer Norton) who are really struggling with this cost of living crisis and every pound counts to them."

As ten o'clock approached councillors were sent home to 'do their homework' , to study the breakdown of the areas of the budget which could be trimmed, to decide which events and grants could still be supported and a clear message ' the money has to come from somewhere.'