Keighley Town Council’s precept for 2014/15 will go up by 1.79 per cent, following a vote in the town hall chamber last night.

The council accepted the rise in a named vote, with 14 voting in favour, nine against and two abstaining.

Earlier, finance committee chairman Coun John Phillip explained the previous proposal for a 2.66 per cent rise had been revised downwards, because the council’s allotments and landscapes committee had reduced its own budget by £4,000.

The 1.79 per cent decision contrasts with the steep rise of 72.6 per cent for the 2013/14 town council precept.

The latest increase means households in the benchmark band D category will pay £42.69 for the coming financial year - 75 pence more than last year.

Most Keighley homes will pay less, as they fall within the cheaper A, B and C bands.