LYDNEY Town Council has issued a statement about the increased council tax precept residents face this year following the retirement of a town clerk.

"Lydney Town Council would like to offer the following statement in response to the increase of Lydney rates," the council tells the Review.

"This was an inherited problem from the previous council who approved the appointment of a new town clerk in 2005, and the terms and conditions agreed by the council were in line with national association of local council guidelines.

"The council unanimously agreed at the time to allow all council employees membership of the local government pension scheme. The unfortunate departure of the former Town Clerk on ill health grounds has resulted in the Council being legally obligated to honour the pension deficit.

"District Councillor Alan Preest was a member of Lydney Town Council at the time and was party to these decisions. He has been given all available information under the freedom of information act as has any other member of the public who has asked for the same.

"This did not include employer/employee confidential information."