OXENHOPE parish councillors agreed to increase the precept for their 2019/20 budget at their latest meeting.

Council members voted to set a £30 annual precept for homes in the benchmark band D, a £3 pound increase on last year’s precept for these properties.

It is less than what was proposed in an initial draft budget, which had recommended increasing the band D precept to £35.

At the beginning of the budget debate, acting chairman Cllr Robert Goulding said the precept was bound to creep up as the parish council adopts services no longer provided by Bradford.

Commenting after the meeting, a parish council spokesman said: “In setting a budget for 2019/20 councillors were keen to ensure the budget was used as effectively as possible and to limit the size of any precept increase.

“Councillors were encouraged by the success of Oxenhope Youth Club and wanted to continue supporting it. Funding of £4,800 was agreed to allow the club to run from September to July.

“A budget for £3,000 was agreed to maintain and improve parish council assets. The council owns Marsh Common, is taking on full responsibility for Oxenhope Rose Garden and may take on other assets important to the village.

“As the parish council-run allotments fencing needs to be replaced, £2,000 was agreed to start on this work.

“Councillors also agreed to spend f £3,400 to purchase two additional defibrillators and maintain the current defibrillators at Leeming and Oxenhope Railway Station.”