CHESHAM'S taxpayers are being asked to fork out for an inflation-busting 6.9 per cent rise in the charges they pay for council services in the town.

Chesham Town Council decided on Monday it would be asking for a precept of £553,800 to pay for its allotments, theatres, planning services, sports facilities and revitalisation projects meaning a bill of £69.21 for the average Band D household.

The figure represents about a tenth of the bill for county council work, including education, the fire brigade and social services.

Every town council committee has increased its budget this year except town centre revitalisation, which is no longer funding the defunct Chesham Partnership marketing body.

The tax hike includes a £19,000 rise in the contributions to the repairs and renewals fund, which the council uses to keep the town hall, Elgiva theatre and other public buildings in good condition.

The council also has to increase its employers' superannuation pension contributions by nearly £23,000 over the next three years.

Finance committee chairman Alan Bacon said: "The increase would still be larger than 6.9 per cent were it not for the fact that we had built up good balances for various reasons, some of it good luck and some of it good judgement."

Meanwhile the town council is due to bin its committee structure in March in favour of a complete structural shake-up designed to save time and money.

The most likely change will see five main committees abolished and their work transferred to the full council, which will meet more often.

Cllr Bacon said: "This is a very serious contender for what we should want to do. I can see a lot to be said for that.

"I remember being embarrassed on a number of occasions at the small amount of people turning up to make important decisions on important issues."

The change could meet some resistance. Cllr Noel Brown (Con, Hilltop) said: "I don't see that at the end of the day it will make us more effective."

Cllr Derek Lacey (Residents Association, Pond Park) added: "This could mean longer meetings."