Green Party members have criticised the district council's decision not to put up council tax for Warwick residents, saying it will put services and the most vulnerable "at risk".

Warwick District Council last week voted through a freeze on its council tax precept, for the second year in a row.

Liberal Democrat and Green councillors had voted in favour of an amended proposal which would have seen the precept increased by 2.99 per cent - £5 per year for a band D property.

This was voted down by Labour and Conservative members who said the freeze was needed to help all local residents.

But Green group leader Cllr Ian Davison said the decision would lead to more problems further down the line.

"There is a horrific £3.5 million black hole in this Conservative budget and the only clear proposed action is to cut jobs and services even further," he said.

"It seems that after the failed merger with Stratford, the Conservatives have given up trying to balance the books.

"But even with a 2.99 per cent rise, the council budget would suffer a massive cut over two years."

Greens said their proposals would generate an extra £305,072 per year to put the council's finances "back on a more even keel" with an additional investment for a homeowners' retrofit programme in 2023/24.

Supporting the amendment, Cllr Will Roberts said: "We have a £3.5 million blackhole to fix and our services are suffering.

"If we add this tax freeze to last year's tax freeze, it's effectively a £3 million loss to the council over the next five years.

"This will only have a negative impact on our services."

Cllr James Kennedy added: "Discretionary services – those that we are not legally required to provide - will be at particular risk as a result of the tax cut.

"Support for the community and voluntary sector to provide health and wellbeing and social and financial inclusion to their most vulnerable clients will be put at risk.

"So the best way to help those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis is not to offer a small handout to the most affluent people in our district – which is what the council tax freeze proposal achieves - but rather to ensure that council finances remain on a sound footing and reach those most in need of support by raising the council tax by 2.99 per cent"

As well as freezing the council tax precept, WDC voted to give £52,000 a year to local food banks and to increase the maximum reduction payable under the local council tax reduction scheme from 85 per cent to 100 per cent.

In a statement released last week leader of the council, Cllr Andrew Day commented: "Setting the budget against the backdrop of rising costs has been hugely challenging.

"I am therefore pleased that careful planning has allowed us to maintain our excellent service levels whilst at the same time extending our support to our most vulnerable residents, especially those on the lowest incomes."

Elsewhere Warwickshire County Council, Kenilworth Town Council and Warwickshire Police have all voted to increase their council tax precepts.