People in Diss face paying more council tax next year after the town council announced it was thinking about increasing its part of the overall bill.

It stressed that a financial decision had yet to be made, but that an increase of £7.97 per band D household per year was being considered.

This, it said, could offset a reduction in funding from central government caused by changes to the council tax benefit system, which means local councils receive less financial support. The proportion of council tax currently paid annually by a band D household to Diss Town Council is £139.86, or £2.69 per week.

Town mayor Neil Howard said the council was faced with 'very challenging' circumstances, mostly out of its control.

'It is very frustrating as in the spirit of localism it would make sense for Diss Town Council to consider taking on delivery of local services that are locally responsive, such as street cleaning and public toilets, but this cannot be achieved without additional income, whatever the source,' he said.

'Difficult decisions need to be made in the coming months but we wish to remain a service-focused organisation. The recently-completed DissFuture survey will be very important in helping to determine our priorities.'

The council's portion of the precept is spent on a variety of amenities including open spaces, Diss Cemetery, Diss Sports Ground, Diss Youth and Community Centre (which is mostly self-funding), Diss Corn Hall building maintenance and the council offices, as well as upcoming capital maintenance projects requiring 'significant' financial investment, including repairs to Madgett's Walk and the Mere drains, rebuilding St Mary's churchyard wall and repairing roads at the cemetery.