HOUSEHOLDERS in the Taunton and Minehead areas are likely to see £5 added to their annual council tax bills from April.

Somerset West and Taunton Council is expected to add the maximum allowed without a referendum in its demand for the coming financial year.

It would take the average Band D bill for district council services to £169.63, £1.75 of which goes to the Somerset Rivers Authority.

SWT services include planning, environmental health, rubbish collection, council tax collection and housing.

It accounts for around 10 per cent of the overall council tax bill, which includes precepts for the county council, police and fire authorities, town and parish councils.

The greatest part of the bill is for county council services, which include education, social services, transport, libraries, trading standards and waste management.

SWT was permitted to raise its council tax demand by 1.99 per cent or £5, whichever was the greater.

If approved by the council, it is estimated the council tax would bring in £9.5 million.

The proposed increase will be discussed by SWT's executive committee next Wednesday (January 27).