COUNCIL taxpayers in Chorley face a 4.9 per cent hike in bills after the the local authority's budget was finalised.

The budget will see Chorley Borough Council's portion of the tax bill increase from £155.99 to £163.63 for a Band D property.

The Labour-controlled council passed the proposals despite opposition from the Conservative group which introduced an alternative budget which they claim would cut council tax without affecting frontline services.

Lancashire County Council will also increase its share by 2.5 per cent, Lancashire Police Authority by five per cent and the draft proposal from the Lancashire Fire Authority is a 4.95 per cent raise.

This would result in an overall council tax increase of 3.3 per cent, raising the bill for a Band D from £1,233.44 to £1,285.70.

Council leader, Labour's Jack Wilson said: "This is the lowest increase in total council tax for Chorley in over a decade. The budget will improve services and give value for money.

"We will recruit four further neighbourhood wardens to reduce anti-social behaviour and environmental crime after consultation revealed that the people of Chorley wanted safer streets.

"We have also committed £30,000 for increased youth activity provision and £25,000 for additional street cleaning in secondary shopping areas."

Conservative Leader Peter Goldsworthy said: "Since Labour came to power nationally council tax in Chorley has increased by 204 per cent, ten times the rate of inflation.

"The Conservative budget would reduce council tax, we do not believe in a policy of tax and waste. We believe in reducing bureaucrats and improving services."

The Tory plans would see white collar job cuts, particularly where vacancies have not been filled and the removal of growth items in the budget such as recruiting more neighbourhood wardens.

The budget was approved when Lib Dem and Independent councillors voted with Labour to carry the proposals 26 votes to 19.