TOWN councillors in Watchet are being recommended to hold public consultation events before agreeing a budget for 2026-27.

Clerk Jo Grellier said it would help to establish what residents wanted to see in Watchet before the start of budget planning later this month or in October.

She said: “This will help us shape our five-year plan and budgeting, and continue with our great progress of being fully transparent and giving the town a voice in how the precept is spent.

“It will also help increase the knowledge of how town council precepts work so our residents are more aware of the procedures.”

The council increased its precept this year by 40 per cent, or £1.16 a week for the average band D council taxpayer.