PORTLAND Town Council has agreed to discuss raising its council tax precept.

The decision came after councillors met on Thursday night to hear a presentation on an independent staffing review, which featured this recommendation and others.

The review was contained in a confidential report which councillors have now decided to make public.

The report was seen by the Dorset Echo which reported on its contents earlier in the week. It was carried out by Nick Randle Associates Ltd, and included other recommendations such as moving the council away from its current base, increasing staff hours and improving training.

Councillors voted it to be made public but with some redactions in place. They refer to staff salaries and the health of staff members.

The majority of councillors also agreed for the redacted report to be published online at the earliest opportunity.

The council currently charges a precept of £15.02 per year for an average Band D property. Moves to increase it earlier in the year were met with a fierce backlash.

Nick Randle told councillors Portland’s precept is ‘very low’ compared to other areas. He said the council needed to consider whether it should consolidate or become bigger, pro-active and provide community benefits.

Mr Randle said the cost of increasing the hours of existing staff would be £13,000.

Cllr Tim Munro questioned this recommendation. He said: “We are going to get less work done more efficiently and pay a huge amount of money for it.”

In response, Mr Randle said: “You have to juxtapose that against the alternative which is that the organisation is decaying and at some point you may have a serious audit problem. The decision you face is you could shut up shop tomorrow and save Portland residents £15 a year. You could do that or you could make yourself fit for purpose.”

Mr Randle’s report suggests the precept should increase to £25 – half the national average for a town council.

He said: “That £10 will enable you to prepare for the future and I think (the community) would get the benefit from it.”

Cllr John Thorner, pictured left, said many islanders were expecting either a rebate or no rise in the precept.

He said: “Whether it is £10, £50, or £100 the people of Portland will not stomach that.”

Charlie Flack, from Southwell said: “I think if you had been a school and that was Ofsted you would have all been on special measures.”

In response, Cllr Munro insisted none of the report’s information was new to the council but they needed an independent view.

Councillors agreed to discuss the report’s recommendations further at a public meeting on Thursday, November 27. The venue is yet to be confirmed.