BRIDGWATER Town Council voted through it's budget for 2017-18 with council leader Brian Smedley declaring it a 'continuity budget with growth bids for youth and culture'.

Cllr Smedley said the opportunity to invest in youth projects had been made possible by the town's 'growing tax base' and the council's 'sound financial management over the years'.

Presenting the budget at Bridgwater Town Council on Thursday, January 12, Cllr Smedley said: "Bridgwater is in a fortunate position, not just because this council has taken great care to manage our budget over the years and at the same time built up a contingency reserve but we are also in the positive situation of having a growing tax base. There has to be an upside to all these new houses being built.”

The council voted to increase its precept by £2.50 on a band D property, which will see £12,000 extra come in, with this year's budget having a 'Focus on Youth' theme.

The budget includes £10,000 to help save the Rollercoaster Youth Centre in Sydenham, and extra funding for a major town centre festival event in the summer, on the initiative of the successful 'Big Bash' held two years ago.

It was also announced that Cllr Diogo Rodrigues will be fronting a major youth initiative and relaunch a youth forum where young people in the town can help identify projects that can build for the future.

"In all of these projects we will persist in targeting and accessing Community Impact Mitigation funding from EDF," Cllr Smedley said.

"CIM bids have already been identified for town centre enhancement and increased leisure bids and we have contributed earmarked matched funds towards these.

He concluded: “Our town is growing and we need to make sure services are maintained and facilities and amenities grow accordingly.

"Our intention next year is to maintain growth and focus on the promotion of the town, tourism opportunities and regeneration of jobs, shops and amenities."