A council tax increase of 3% has been unanimously agreed by West Devon Borough Council.

The increase — the lowest borough council tax rise in six years — means an extra £5.46 a year, or 11p a week, for the average Band D property.

The average West Devon household will, from this April, pay £187.30 for their services from the borough council.

The increase matches the current rate of inflation of 3%.

But the largest share of the council tax is for Devon County Council services, and this is to increase by 2.89%, which the county says is its lowest rise in 21 years.

The county increase means people living in Band D properties will pay £1,094.67 for the year — a rise of £30.78 on last year's Band D council tax bills.

County council leader Brian Greenslade said the authority's £1.2-billion budget would fund big investments in the local economy to support jobs, training and business opportunities as well as maintaining vital public services.

Cllr Greenslade said: 'This is a solid, safe, dependable budget for stability in these financially uncertain times.

'Support for Devon's local economy is high on this council's priorities and we will be putting money in to support business growth, jobs, training and economic regeneration to help our great county weather this global economic storm.'

West Devon councillors were told last week that despite budget pressures of more than £1-million, the borough had still managed to reduce overheads and find savings of more than £500,000 with no frontline services being affected.

The recession has led to the council suffering a major drop in income from its investments with base rates hitting an all time low and the downturn in the housing market substantially reducing income from planning applications.

As the recession begins to bite, the borough council is working to help residents. It is taking part in the Government's Mortgage Rescue Package – helping the most vulnerable homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes through repossession.

The council is also working alongside debt charity, Homemaker South West, to offer free independent and confidential advice.

Businesses are being offered various forms of rate relief and the council is working with specialist organisations to ensure firms are given support and advice on dealing with issues they are facing.

West Devon has a good track record of paying invoices within 30 days of receipt – the best in Devon. Currently almost 60% of bills are paid within ten days and the council has been working towards all invoices for small businesses being paid by that limit.

In the next year, residents and businesses will benefit from a number of initiatives from the council including:

l Free swimming for the over 60s

l Delivering 175 new affordable homes

l Continuing the kitchen waste scheme to 7,500 households in the borough

l Expanding outreach surgeries, taking a broad range of services to more rural communities

l The new Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund programme giving access to £1.8-million to support the local economy and improve access to services.

The council is not increasing its car parking charges across the borough for a further year.

In addition, the council will spend more than £1-million on a range of projects to benefit the community.

These include providing grants for disabled people to make it easier for them to live in their own homes. Village hall and community project grants will also be available.

The council will also provide flooding advice and planned preventative schemes for areas such as Bishopsmead in Tavistock and South Zeal.

The rest of the council tax bill is made up of charges from parish or town councils and the fire and police authorities.