ABERYSTWYTH Town Council has voted to increase its precept by one per cent despite the passionate objection of two councillors.

Increases in spending on flower beds in the town, which will rise from £20,000 to £30,000, and allotments, which will rise from £5,000 to £10,000, have meant the town council is having to increase its precept, according to the chair of the finance committee, Cllr Jeff Smith.

But the budget has been criticised as “stockpiling money” after full council agreed on a one per cent precept increase — a rise of 74p per household — which will mean an additional £5,488 going into the capital fund.

Presenting the budget to council, Cllr Smith said: “We went through all the items to consider, and one of the most important things that has happened is that we have had to spend substantially more on flowers.

“The responsibility comes to us and, of course, it costs money. It is substantially different to last year’s budget.

“We had a discussion and a vote and we voted to accept it in the finance committee.”

Cllr Ceredig Davies asked Cllr Smith to justify the precept increase considering there was a surplus in the proposed budget.

“You could argue this money is better kept in the bank account of the residents of the town,” Cllr Davies said.

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