Whitehaven Town Council's share of council tax is set to rise by almost 19 per cent - but councillors have pledged to use the money to improve the town.

Town councillors have agree the precept for 2018/19, which will increase to £406,974.07.

It means that householders in a Band D property will pay £61.06 per year to the compared to £51.38 this year. This is an increase of 18.84 per cent.

The town council’s precept, which is its share of council tax, will help to pay for the services and activities it wants to provide.

Councillors said that although the percentage increase sounds high, they want to continue to make improvements in the town. They also say that the precept has been lower than other town councils in the area.

The council’s proposals include:

- £24,000 for Christmas lights infrastructure

- £8,000 for preparation of a community plan

- £26,800 ranger (lengthsmen scheme)

- £40,000 for bus shelters, bins and seats

- £18,000 for Whitehaven in Bloom

- £12,500 for grounds maintenance (grass cutting)

- £15,000 allotments

They have also allocated £250,000 from the council's reserves (money they have saved in previous years) for new office accommodation.

Councillors debated the precept proposals at their latest meeting.

Coun Charles Maudling said that although 18.84 per cent sounds high, it is a small amount when broken down.

"With the way we are going with the improvements in the town; the improvements that have started. If the public knows that then they will hopefully be more supportive," he said.

Coun Julie Rayson suggested there were still aspects of the budget that "could be tweaked".

However, Councillor Brian O'Kane, Whitehaven mayor, said the council has looked at what it could "prune back".

Councillors said the town council precept is lower than other parish councils in the county including Workington and Penrith.

Coun Raymond Gill said: "We are starting from a low base."

Coun Brian O'Kane, Whitehaven mayor, said: "We have started from a low level. We have been ultra cautious."

"Hopefully people will see that whatever money is coming in will go out on improvements."

Discussions took place about proposals by Copeland's mayor, Mike Starkie, to increase the borough's share of council tax by 1.95 per cent.

Coun Gill said: "Copeland's budget has been helped by the sale of land".

While Coun Graham Roberts: "We (the town council) have been ultra cautious because we haven't been in a position to sell off any family silver."

The council voted five votes to two in favour of the precept.

Coun Jayne Laine, who opposed the budget, raised issues about the ground maintenance, ranger, civic hospitality costs and events costings.

She also highlighted the need for a three-year community plan, which Coun O'Kane said would happen this year.

Speaking about the new office accommodation, she said the facility would feature public toilets.