WEYMOUTH and Portland Borough Council has approved its budget for the year ahead – including a rise in council tax.

Councillors and finance chiefs discussed budget plans for 2018/19 at a full council meeting.

Despite opposition from Labour councillors, it was agreed to increase the borough's share of the council tax by 2 per cent.

Since 2015, the government grant for the council has reduced each year and there will be no government support grant in 2018/19.

For the coming financial year, the council is aiming to balance its budget against savings of £945,000.

To do this, the council has agreed a 2 per cent council tax rise.

For the average Band D property it works out as an increase of £5.96 a year.

For the Weymouth and Portland average, which is a Band B property, it works out as an increase of £4.64 a year – meaning the Band B borough share of the council tax would be £234.17.

Concerns were raised by some councillors, who said residents in their areas would struggle to find the extra money to fund the council tax rise.

Labour councillor Penny McCartney said: "Where are people going to find the money to pay for this? A person in my Tophill ward spoke to me and say they will not be able to afford any additional charges. It's because of that person that I am voting against the budget."

In response, leader of the council, Cllr Jeff Cant said: "To put it into context, its under 10p per week for most residents."

Deputy Mayor Cllr Gill Taylor, said: "The budget working group has worked really hard with officers to bring this balanced budget forward.

"The Liberal Democrats don't agree with the two per cent rise. We have taken this budget apart, trying to reduce this in any way and keep the budget balanced, but have been unable to do so. I therefore will not vote against the budget."

Green Party councillor Jon Orrell said the council tax rise was a "regressive step".

He said: "The poorest people are paying more and the richer people are stopping paying tax at all. It's the same across the nation.

"We need to ask our MPs to fight for us."

LEADER of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Cllr Jeff Cant, told the members that "considerable progress" has been made in the borough over the last three years in its regeneration programme.

He added that significant savings had also been made in the last three years of over £10 million, which have been used to support a number of different projects in and around the town, such as a town centre manager.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cant said: "We’re looking forwards to a year in which we continue to deliver on our ambitious regeneration plans as we look at major projects to improve our borough.

“We will continue as we have done in 2017/18 to seek to free up funds by rigorously monitoring balances and reserves to enable the maximum investment into the community and the facilities for the borough.

“Our sound financial management will enable us to get the potential new Weymouth Town Council off to a good start as well as responding to the development aspirations of Portland Town Council. It will also put us in a good position to be clearly heard by the unitary council, if it is agreed to be set up in 2019.

“Our savings for this year to come will be achieved through working more efficiently and the savings made through our internal transformation programme. We have also agreed a modest rise in council tax. This is vital for us to protect local services and carry out our ambitious plans to improve the borough.

“My thanks to the tremendous efforts and commitment of our staff and the to the dedication of my council colleagues in what has been a very busy year. We have to keep up pace right up until the new unitary council takes over.”