RATEPAYERS will have to pay out an extra £1,000 next year after a town council decision to increase the precept.

Upton Town Council is boosting the precept to £124,823 in a bid to cover rising costs.

The extra money will go towards the council’s free car park, in Old Street, and the local caretaker’s new van.

A town council spokesman said: “The increase will come from the town council’s portion of residents’ council tax.

“We estimate that there will be an increase to a Band D household of just under 45p per month due to this.”

The town council will pay an additional £163.40 in rates for Old Street car park next year, due to an increase in its rateable value.

The Valuation Office Agency raised the value from £4,900 to £14,500 in a recent business rates revaluation.

Upton was charged £2,371.60 for the car park in 2016/17, with rates going up to £2,535 next year.

It is thought that the car park will cost even more in rates over the next few years.