TOWN councillors in Blandford have voted to buy a new van despite warnings of hard times to come.

Blandford Town Council voted to spend up to £7,500 on a new van for grounds staff to maintain green spaces at the town’s new Badbury Heights development.

But Cllr Mike Owen said the expense of the van was the latest in a series of costs visited on residents in the form of increased council tax by an expanding portfolio of services.

He said planned government spending cuts would leave hard-up residents badly placed to cope with higher local taxes.

But other councillors rejected Mr Owen’s concerns, arguing that the cost of the van would be covered by a financial contribution from Persimmon Homes – the developer responsible for Badbury Heights.

Former mayor, Cllr Lynn Lindsay, said: “It is not costing the council money because we have funds set aside from the Section 106 contributions which will last us about 10 years to cut the grass.”

Councillors voted by 11 to one in favour of buying the van.