Torfaen council tax increases by 4.7% as budget approved

The council tax increase will mean £49.780 a year to the average Band D tax bill

Torfaen council has approved a council tax increase of 4.75% as part of its budget for the coming year.

The increase will add approximately £1 a week, or £49.80 a year, to the average Band D council tax bill.

Approving the budget for 2015/16, the council said it had protected money for schools and social care.

The budget of £166,447,874 was approved following a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor Anthony Hunt said: "We know that a council tax increase puts pressures on family budgets and it is not a decision that has been taken lightly.

"The unfortunate reality is that without it more valued services would close and communities would suffer."