Councillors have approved a 2.99 per cent rise in Warwick District Council's (WDC) portion of council tax.

The full council approved the price hike last week as it signed off on its general fund budget.

This increase will equate to an increase of £5.61 per year (11p per week) for households living in a Band D property.

WDC's portion of the council tax is around eight per cent of the total bill and comes alongside rises approved by Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire's Police and Crime Panel this year.

Individual town councils also set their own council tax precepts.

The district council said its "balanced budget" has been aided by a change programme which has reportedly delivered £1 million in savings.

This as well as "greater financial stability" brought about by the government's new multi-year funding settlement.

Portfolio holder for resources, Cllr Jonathan Chilvers commented: "As a district council, we've worked hard to be more efficient whilst still improving our services through the prudent budget management as well as flexibility and innovation of staff in implementing our ambitious change programme.

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"This budget keeps us on a responsible financial path while ensuring we continue to invest in the services residents rely on most.

"The stability provided by the multi-year funding settlement means that we can plan confidently for the longer term to deliver meaningful improvements in priority areas and support our communities in uncertain times."

The council said the budget will see investment in:

• Additional funding for the community wardens, helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour
• Support for fly-tipping collection and enforcement
• Targeted investment in the Green Spaces team to support the repair of play equipment and safeguard the district's parks and open spaces for the future.
• Enhanced investment in the pruning and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and designated wildlife areas.
• Support for the Events team so that community groups and businesses can continue to bring a year-round programme of events to encourage footfall to our town centres.