AN increase in council tax of around 7p a week for an average band D home has been approved by West Devon Borough Council.

At a meeting of the full council last week, members voted to increase the borough council's share of council tax by 1.9%, as the authority tries to set a balanced budget in the face of financial constraints.

A cut in formula grant and the effect of inflation means the council has to plug a budget gap of £355,000 for 2013/14. 

The authority has to find £2-million of savings from a budget of £7.5-million over the next four years because of the impact of central government funding formulas.

Leader of the council Cllr Philip Sander, said: 'We are acutely aware of the difficulties that our residents face in these challenging, economic times. But we feel it is important to maintain essential services at an acceptable quality. This small increase will enable us to do this for the coming year.'

West Devon Borough Council takes 12p in every pound of the total council tax collected with the rest of the money going to Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service along with town and parish The borough council has found savings of more than £300,000 for 2013/14 and has also frozen its car parking charges for the fourth year in a row.

The council decided not to accept the government's Council Tax Freeze Grant because it would have implications on the council's ability to balance its budget in future, as it is only available for a two-year period. Many other councils have done the same.

The council tax increase will be further ratified at a meeting on Tuesday, February 26.