Tens of thousands of pounds could be put aside for flood defence work by Southwell Town Council.
The council was last night set to consider a recommendation from its finance and policy committee to allocate £40,000 for flood mitigation in this year’s budget.
If approved, it would contribute to a rise in the town council precept, its element of the council tax bill.
The precept for a band D houshold would rise to more than £1 a week.
The initial budget proposal was for £66,000 to be put aside for flooding work this year, with a total contribution of £200,000 over the next three years.
Mrs Beryl Prentice put forward an alternative figure of £15,000 this year, with a reassesment in following years.
A compromise figure of £40,000 was supported by a vote of four to three, but councillors disagreed how much of a contribution they could expect taxpayers to make.
The council is still awaiting the results of a Nottinghamshire County Council flood study. Committee chairman Mr Peter Harris said to that extent they were “working in the dark.”
He said £66,000 was an estimated figure following meetings of the flood mitigation group.
Mr Roger Dobson said: “There has to be exceptional circumstances to warrant a rise of this nature. These are and the people of the town think these are.
“Many houses in this town have suffered badly twice in the last six or seven years. Who is to say it may not happen again in future years?
“If we don’t send a clear message that this is important, the response from other partners might not be as generous as it should be.”
Mr Julian Hamilton said: “I fully endorse the £66,000. About 10% of our housing was affected, which is a very significant figure. We can’t turn a blind eye.”
But Mrs Prentice said such a large contribution would be premature given the limited information so far available.
“Many residents are already feeling the pinch on their finances with food and transport costs rising,” she said.
“£15,000 shows commitment and we can revisit that next year when we have more information.”
Mrs Sue Rodgers said: “£66,000 is far too much. Morally the public should be consulted limited information so far available.
“Many residents are already feeling the pinch on their finances with food and transport costs rising,” she said.
“I think £15,000 shows commitment. We can revisit that next year when we have more information.”
Mrs Sue Rodgers said: “Morally, the public should be consulted on such a large tax rise because £66,000 is far too much.
“Many households may be able to afford a large increase, but we have to remember there are many on a low income, like pensioners.
“We have people in this town who do, and always will, struggle to afford the basics.”
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