HOMEOWNERS in Acle will have to pay an extra �6.60 in council tax for Band D properties during the financial year 2010-11.The parish council agreed to increase its precept for Band D homes by 55p a month to ensure it does not have to use money from its reserves to cover any shortfall in annual running costs.

HOMEOWNERS in Acle will have to pay an extra �6.60 in council tax for Band D properties during the financial year 2010-11.

The parish council agreed to increase its precept for Band D homes by 55p a month to ensure it does not have to use money from its reserves to cover any shortfall in annual running costs. Last year, the precept was frozen.

Clerk Pauline James said the council's income had been reduced during the last year, especially after interest rates were slashed from 4.5pc to 0.1pc to mitigate the effects of the recession, meaning the council's interest from its investment account was reduced from �4,000 to �250.

She added the council did not want to take money from its reserves account which had been set aside for future projects including the regeneration of village play areas and the extension of the village cemetery.

In August, the Mercury reported how more land is needed because the parish council's Pyebush Lane cemetery only has enough space to accommodate burials for another six or seven years.

Mrs James said the council tax rates in Acle were lower than in many similar Norfolk villages and the burden would be less for people living in smaller houses.

She said: “It is not fair we just eat away at our monies to keep the village looking lovely. It is fair people pay a reasonable amount for living in a good village.”