COUNCIL taxpayers are being asked for an extra £5 in the year from April to fund services such as planning, environmental health and kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Taunton Deane.

The 3.47 per cent increase agreed by Taunton Deane Borough Council last night will see average Band D bills for the next 12 months rise to £147.88 - around a tenth of the overall council tax demand in the district.

Somerset County Council, which caters for education, social services and highways, is asking for an extra 3.99 per cent next year, lumping £42.66 on Band D bills, taking the county's share to £1,111.95.

People will also have to pay for police, fire service and parish precepts.

Conservative council leader Cllr John Williams said the Deane was setting a balanced budget while maintaining investment plans despite an ongoing squeeze in Government funding.

He added: "Our budget proposals show the council's clear commitment to planning for and investing in the future and boosting our economy.

"Taunton is growing and it is essential we deliver a balanced economy of housing, jobs and leisure."

Among plans for the next five years are:

*Flood alleviation in Taunton (£3 million);

*transport schemes (£2.5 million);

*town centre regeneration (£2.5 million);

*employment site enabling, enterprise and innovation (£4 million);

*urban extension delivery (£4 million).

The authority is investing £10 million in housing, along with £1.2 million to build more council homes.

Mr Williams added: "It is only right that the majority of New Homes Bonus - money we receive for new housing development - should be spent on growth, development and investment schemes, but importantly improving infrastructure such as major transport schemes and the vital major flood scheme.

"We are also planning to invest heavily in improving our own housing stock and committing to building more new homes for our community."

Opposition leader Cllr Simon Coles (LibDem) said: "The Tories' decision to raise council tax after they promised in 2013 not to do so is a little surprising.

"I'm disappointed the administration hasn't tried harder to get more money from central government.

"And why are we again paying an extra 1.25 per cent for flood alleviation? Somerset is still the only county in the country where people have to pay a flooding tax.

"We'll be keeping a close eye on how the Tories spend the money they raise through council tax."