COLNE Town Council’s precept will rise by 17 per cent this year.

At a recent meeting it was agreed the total tax raised by the council will increase to £380,532.

This means Band A properties will pay £56.93 a year and Band D properties will pay £85.39.

This comes as it is now responsible for Christmas lights, benches, almost all the bus shelters, playgrounds not in parks, the allotments and a new CCTV system.

Colin Hill, clerk and council CEO, said: “Just over £1 a week for a typical Colne terraced house represents fantastic value, but we are no longer expecting the precept to make up the vast majority of our income.

“As we take over more and more services in the town, we intend to make up increasing levels of our income from sales, rents and sponsorship.

Council chairwoman, Cllr Sarah Cockburn-Price, said: “Pendle Council is focussing on its statutory responsibilities, like waste and planning.

“We can let Pendle close much loved Colne services and institutions, or we can attempt to pick up the baton.

“The 17 councillors have not so far stepped back from a single thing, no matter how daunting."