THE likelihood that everyone in Taunton Deane having to pay £15 next year to help prevent flooding on the Somerset Levels has been dubbed "unfair".

Taunton Deane Council plans to levy £1.74 on top of a £5 council tax rise in the year from April, with Somerset County Council expected to demand almost £13.

But there is good news for council house tenants after the Deane, whose responsibilities include planning, environmental health and waste collection, announced a rent cut.

Somerset County Council, which deals with issues including education and highways, the police, fire authority and other local councils will shortly announce their tax demands.

Referring to the levy to help Somerset Rivers Authority tackle flooding, Taunton resident Philip Andrew said: "Why should I pay to protect someone else's house?

"They decided to live in an area everyone knows floods.

"Will they help pay when I get the outside of my house painted?"

Bryony Sadler, whose family was forced out of their home in Stoke St Gregory during the floods of two years ago, said: "Didn't he have problems getting to work when we had the floods? Everybody suffered.

"It isn't our water anyway - we're at the bottom of the catchment."

Deane House leader John Williams (Conservative) said: "It's important we deal with water at its source and throughout the catchment area as well as the Somerset Levels."

Mr Williams wants next month's full council to sanction raising his authority's share of the council tax bill from £137.88 to £142.88 for an average Band D home.

He said the council is introducing efficiency savings to cope with a £738,372 cut in Government funding.

Plans in the budget include £40,000 for a feasibility study into re-opening Wellington Railway Station; £126,000 improving Taunton's Orchard Centre car park; and £388,000 for disabled facilities grants.

Council homes get a £8.5million boost for improvements, while there is £1million for new council housing.

Council house rents drop an average 84p a week to £83.06.

Mr Williams, who said more than £16million is earmarked for "growth and development", added: "Despite the reduction in our funding from Government, we're continuing to invest in our community by pumping money into our growth programme, improving our housing and protecting the frontline services our residents value so highly."

LibDem opposition leader Cllr Simon Coles said it is regrettable more isn't being done "for the vulnerable and least well-off".

He added: "I also deprecate the fact that councils are having to do central government’s own dirty business by having to increase council tax through some of these levies and incur the wrath of the public for the badly needed funding.

"The Tory councillors are lying down in front of their own masters instead of fighting for local people and local needs."