FISHGUARD and Goodwick Town Council has decided to raise its council tax precept in order to secure match funding from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Members of the finance committee met on Wednesday, January 15 to finalise the demand for 2014/15.

The precept will go up from its current level of £52,000 to £63,300, which means people living in a Band D household will have to pay an extra £4.92 a year.

The increase allows the town council to access match funding from Pembrokeshire County Council, which is available to all six of the county’s major towns for regeneration projects over the next two years.

For Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council the figure promised in match funding is £20,000.

The town council has already been discussing projects such as improved floral enhancements, de-cluttering the towns’ signage, improving and cleaning up Fishguard Square, free town centre Wi-Fi for locals and tourists, and many other projects designed to help promote local business and encourage tourists to stay in the area.

The clerk for Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council has created a spreadsheet showing the increase to all the council tax bands and it is readily available to be viewed upon request.

The Mayor of Fishguard and Goodwick, Councillor Richard Grosvenor, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the town council.

“With the county council prepared to match fund the investment this is a no brainier and I know will be welcomed by many people in the twin towns.”