AN average Band D taxpayer will have to pay an extra £6.84 a year after Wyre Forest District Council approved a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax last night.

This was in line with Government expectations of five per cent nationally and was less than last year's 6.8 per cent rise.

It means Band D taxpayers will be shelling out £72.73 more a year when Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police Authority contributions are taken into account, but before parish precepts are added to the figures.

At last night's meeting, council leader Mike Oborski said the district increase compared favourably with the county council's figure of 9.96 per cent - and that the district council was improving services and offering value for money.

The district's expenditure for the coming year is expected to increase due to inflation, deferred repairs and maintenance and extra housing transfer bills, while revenue will be down because of a loss of car parking income.

But Mr Oborski was confident that money was being spent wisely on the forthcoming clean-up campaign, which will see three new machines being used to tackle litter in Kidderminster, Bew-dley and Stourport town centres.

More than £55,000 is to be put towards setting up a country park to the east of Kidderminster, subject to a grant of £150,000 from the Department of the Environment and English Nature.

People who currently have to pay £35 to deal with wasp and insect problems will have their bill slashed to £15, while free rodent control services are to be reinstated.

Mr Oborski said a capital allocation of £150,000, on top of £50,000 approved in last year's mini budget, was essential for purchasing land for a new cemetery as space is running out at the existing site.

He added: "This is a carefully prepared and well thought-out budget that combines financial caution with clear improvements in services which will benefit each and every resident in Wyre Forest."

And Mr Oborski poured scorn on a budget amendment put forward by Jamie Shaw, the leader of the Labour group.

Labour called for rises in car park fees and charges to be suspended for a year and suggested that the money from councillors' much-criticised increased allowances, which were controversially agreed last year, be used to grant nearly £25,000 to Stourport and Bewdley town councils to compensate for residents in these areas being "double-charged" for certain services.

Mr Oborski said: "This is not an alternative budget - this is sad!"

He pointed out that parking fees had not been raised for two years and that to delay putting them up again would only lead to a bigger increase in future.

He added that Government guidance published last month demanded the system of allowances be adhered to.