HOUSEHOLDERS in a south Lakes town will see their contribution to the local public purse increase by 10 per cent through a hike in council tax.

The ruling Labour group in Ulverston voted to pass council leader Phil Lister's proposal at a meeting of the town council.

It means the town council precept will increase by 9p a week, with each household contributing £44.77 next year compared to £40.71 they paid this year. 

But while Labour councillors voted in agreement, members of the Conservative councillors chose to abstain. 

Conservative Cllr Janette Jenkinson said the town council should wait to see what extra money might become available. 

She added: "I am not happy about the increase.  I don't think it has been taken into account in the budget the finances we will be getting from the community infrastructure levy. 

"Anybody who puts up new buildings or extends a building by 100 square metres will have to pay an infrastructure levy and we will get a percentage of that. 

"We know we will be getting some but we don't know how much. 

"I think if we delayed it by a month and looked at it in more detail we could have brought that 10 per cent down." 

However Cllr Lister replied that his proposals allowed for known coming expenses.

Cllr Brenda Marr said: “The Council has to budget for what we know will happen, and for what is likely to happen; not for what good fortune might just come our way.” 

After the meeting Cllr Colin Pickthall said: “The Tories cannot be serious. 

"What they have to offer is Tinkerbell budgeting – wave a wand and hope for the best – just as their Government is busy destroying local government. 

"It is a mystery why, having argued against the budget proposals, they abstained. Perhaps they realised that it's hard to sustain an argument against a nine pence rise”. 

From April 2015 to April 2016 the overall precept the town council received was £159,588. 

With the increase next year the the precept will be £175,549.