RESIDENTS of Trowbridge will have to pay an extra £11 on a Band D property towards the Wiltshire Council precept.

It means they will be paying £164.98 a year, an increase which the town council says is less than £3.20 a week.

The council set its budget precept for 2020/21 at its full council meeting on Tuesday January 21.

Councillors voted 11-10 to reinstate a £40,000 additional contribution to reserves to prepare for asset transfers from Wiltshire Council.

Councillors approved a departmental budget of £1,899,950 and £62,500 contribution to general reserves next year.

The council's total budget for 2020/21 is £2,002,450, of which £65,000 will be part-funded from a Community Infrastructure Levy.

This leaves a net precept requirement of £1,936,950 for the next financial year, which will be funded by the £11 increase in council tax for a Band D home.

The increase was approved by ten Liberal Democrat councillors and one Independent councillor and opposed by ten Copnservative councillors.

Cllr Antonio Piazza said: "This will result in the town council now taking more in tax from the ordinary working person and will hurt the poorest in Trowbridge the most."

But Lib Dems said the increase was needed to set funds aside for any assets likely to be transferred by Wiltshire Council next year.

These could include The Down Cemetery and Biss Meadows, plus other assets such as community recreation and play areas.