FIERCE arguments broke out between Trowbridge councillors over whether or not the three per cent rise in the town’s share of council tax will be enough to provide services residents need.

At the policy and resources meeting, town clerk Lance Allan proposed a precept which will mean a Band D property will pay a £148.99 a year, an increase of £4.35.

However Cllrs Steve Oldrieve and Bob Brice said that as the town council is allowed to increase the precept by £5, it should do that as it looks to take on more services from Wiltshire Council.

“There are a lot of good things here, such as increasing salaries, but I think the £4.35 increase is a step in the wrong direction,” said Cllr Oldrieve.

“I think we can be a ‘can do’ council and not a ‘can’t do’ attitude that Wiltshire Council has, but we need extra resources. I have a list about as long as my arm to make things better.”

Cllr Brice added: “The government has put the squeeze on Wiltshire Council, who have withdrawn funding for play areas, youth work and street cleaning and they are expecting us to pick them up. If we want to make the town look better we need to invest.”

However other councillors argued that the precept should not be raised for the sake of it as it is tax payers’ money.

Cllr David Cavill said: “We shouldn’t charge residents more than we have to. We want to provide the best service we can for the least cost.”

Cllr Peter Fuller added: “The fact that we have gone to £4.35 is a good thing. They give us money and we spend it on their behalf.”

The precept, which costs residents £2.87 a week, was approved by five votes to two.