TOWN councillors have approved a 5 per cent increase in next year s Royston Town Council budget. The increase represents a rise of £1.40 a year on a Band D property to £29.37 a year. Finance committee chairman Cllr Lynn Berry described the budget - which

TOWN councillors have approved a 5 per cent increase in next year's Royston Town Council budget.

The increase represents a rise of £1.40 a year on a Band D property to £29.37 a year.

Finance committee chairman Cllr Lynn Berry described the budget - which will raise £179,560 for the town council - as "prudent".

She told members on Monday evening: "We have always attempted to keep costs to the minimum."

Cllr Berry added that the budget had been the subject of lengthy discussions and a number of re-workings.

In support of the recommendation, Cllr Peter Burt said: "There have been detailed considerations about the budget and the one here is particularly prudent."

The budget showed that the estimated running costs for the town council next year would be almost £247,000.

This includes costs of more than £102,680 for administration and £67,000 for running the Royston & District Museum.

But there is the hope that income from the hire of the town hall will reach £20,500 and almost £10,000 from the hire of the refurbished Market Hill Rooms.

The town council still has almost £205,500 from the sale of Stamford Yard which is ring-fenced for community projects.