A public meeting was held on Monday in Manorbier to explain why residents are having to pay the second highest precept in Pembrokeshire.
The meeting, called by the community council and held at Skrinkle Community Centre, gave council chairman Clr. Ray Hughes the chance to present a statement relating to an ongoing tribunal case involving a former clerk and the council.
In the statement he said that the community council had spent over £50,000 on unsuccessfully defending a court case and settling an unfair dismissal claim, with the cases dating back before all but two of the current councillors took office.
Clr. Hughes said that the current council formed in May of last year, had inherited a 'challenging situation'.
The council precept, the money it raises through its share of council tax, is £31,680 for 2009-10, which is £14,680 more than last year and equates to £51.17 for each band D property.
Following the meeting, Mrs. Maudie Hughes, clerk and proper officer to Manorbier Community Council, said: "The statement was read out to the public who then had an opportunity to ask questions afterwards. It was a lively meeting, with some fairly heated exchanges at times."