COUNCIL tax in Ringwood could rise by £1.58 per annum for a Band D property.

Councillor Jeremy Heron proposed the increase to Ringwood Town Councillors at their full council meeting last Wednesday (JAN 25).

In order to provide the adequate funding required to continue such services as youth facilities, the precept would have to rise by an 1.8 per cent - the equivalent of £1.58 a year, he said.

The additional 0.8 per cent, to the previously recommended 1 per cent, would generate just under £4,000 for the council, he added.

Councillor Steve Rippon-Swaine told the council the additional funding would be beneficial for youth services to the town.

"We need to make sure The Place continues," he said, speaking of the town's £500,000 youth centre which opened last year.

Councillors voted unanimously that precept of £468,223 for 2017/18 be approved, resulting in Council Tax of £89.60 for a Band D dwelling, equivalent to an increase of 1.8 per cent or £1.58 per annum.