COUNCIL tax payers living in band-D houses in Abergavenny will see rates increase by £4.13 per year.

At its February meeting in the Town Hall, a budget of £232,207 was set, compared to £211,915, last year.

Town Councillor Doug Edwards, who presented the report, said those living in band-D houses will pay 93.6 pence per week or £48.67 per year, compared to £44.54 last year.

The council has allocated £13,000 for CCTV and £26,000 towards the cost of maintenance of the Christmas lights and events.

The food festival will receive £2,000, the festival of cycling £ 5,000 and the summer play scheme £8,000.

Art and entertainment, which includes Abergavenny Eisteddfod, will receive £7,100 and the Shopmobility scheme £1,000.

The council agreed not to fund a mechanical street sweeper, which would cover an area beyond Abergavenny.

Councillors also agreed to contribute £10,000 towards the running of the tourist information centre, if Monmouthshire council funds the remainder.

The proposed contribution to the National Eisteddfod will come out of the reserve funding.