COUNCIL taxpayers in Ludgershall are to face an increased bill from next April after the town council decided it will need more money from taxpayers to run a similar level of service.

Further increases can be expected in subsequent years.

From April the council has to cope with a reduction in support grant provided via Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire has said that it can only provide 65 per cent of the support money it provided this year and the money will dry up entirely within four years as government cutbacks intensify.

Ludgershall says it needs £100,390 to operate its services next year but will keep its increase in council tax down to £5.18 a year for a band D property.

To help cope with the reduction in grant the council is to stop setting aside £10,000 a year into a fund to replace the Memorial Hall.

Town council chairman Owen White said the chances of the replacement happening are “very low or zilch”.

Councillors were also told that they will face the prospect of holding local referendums in future if they wanted to increase taxes by more than two per cent.