PARISH and town councils came in the firing line last night as the final Council tax bill for South Bucks residents was set.

The councils, which form the lowest tier of local government, will receive an average share of £51.92 for the next financial year from each household in the South Bucks district.

This represents an average 4.6 per cent increase on last year, while other authorities agreed “low” increases of about two per cent.

The total bill for an average Band D house in South Bucks will be £1,486 for the year starting in April (see link below).

Councillor George Sandy highlighted the figures at a South Bucks District Council meeting last night.

The member for Taplow asked: “Would I be right in saying that the parishes are more profligate than the district council?

“What are they all spending their money on?”

Council tax bills vary depending on where you live in South Bucks, because of the different amounts received by each parish or town council.

The councils are non-political and members are volunteers. They provide services at a community level including playgrounds, park maintenance and bus shelters. Some take on more responsibilities than others.

Beaconsfield Town Council has raised its share of the bill by less than one per cent and will receive £42 per year from an average Band D home.

Gerrards Cross Parish Council did not increase its share of the bill and will also get about £42 from an average home next year.

Residents in Burnham and Iver are hit with the highest charges, and will give £93 and £75 respectively to their parish councils next year.

Iver Parish Council's share is up by more than three per cent but Cllr Bill Lidgate, who sits on the parish and district councils, said it would be money well spent.

He told the Bucks Free Press the amounts received are “very small” and Iver Parish Council should get more cash because of the responsibilities it has.

He said the council contributes various “feel-good things” such as Christmas lights and hanging baskets and said it looks after more recreation areas and playgrounds than other councils.

Residents in Taplow will recieve the lowest Council tax charges in South Bucks, with the parish council getting £18 from an average Band D household next year.

See the link below to find out the total amounts you will pay.