TOWN councillors in Bradford on Avon have voted to approve the draft budget, which will spend just over £1 million in the next financial year, putting the average Band D home council tax up by £1.05 a week.

With seven votes in favour and two against, the plan will be spending 17 per cent more than last year.

Chairman Cllr Simon McNeill-Ritchie said: “There has been an increase in staff. Last year it was 6.4 per cent and the year before was 24.7 per cent so we have to take that account.

“We have to also take into account additional staff we may need over the year.”

Figures on the draft budget summary show the council plan to spend up to £1,096,590 in 2020/21, compared to a revised expenditure of £883,600 in 2019/20.

The budget will mean council tax is increased by 3.99 per cent in 2020/21.

The budget is available to see on the town council website.