Marlow will see an increase in council tax for the first time in seven years as local authority budgets continue to suffer under the strain of central government cuts.

Marlow Town Council took the ‘challenging’ decision to increase council tax on band D properties from £42.93 to £48.58 per annum - commencing from April - voting unanimously to approve the motion at a meeting of the full council on January 13.

This will see council tax precept rise by around £40,000, from £282,470 to £322,797, in the wake of newly devolved services to the town council.

Town Mayor, Cllr Bob Johnson said the decision was difficult, but necessary in making sure the quality of the town is maintained and the council’s vision for Marlow can move forward.

He said: “We in Marlow cannot be immune to the impacts of central government changes

“We’re charged with getting more out of less, maintaining quality, improving quality and implementing our vision for Marlow.”

Commencing from April, 1 the upkeep of green spaces in the town, bar Higginson Park, will be devolved from Wycombe District Council to the town council.

It is also waiting formal approval for the devolution of maintenance services from Bucks County Council, including grass and hedge trimming and footpath maintenance.

Cllr Johnson continued: “Your town council has always tried to maintain and seek to I improve services to our residents and it is with that remit this year’s budget has been designed.

“We are charged with the responsibility to set the budget that best reflects the need of our wonderful town as we continued the drive to make it the best town in the Thames Valley.”

The rise in council tax for properties that fall out of the band D category is yet to be approved.

It was also announced at the meeting that the new budget provides £3,000 to be invested in to research for the requirements of youth within the town, of which a formal update will be provided in the spring.

Earlier this week Bucks County Council recommended a 3.99 percent increase in council tax over the next three years in the wake of huge funding cuts from central government.

However cabinet members are campaigning to the government to re-think its decision, with Buckinghamshire the second worst-affected area in the country in terms of losing its grant.