Council tax will rise in Wigton as leaders try to revive the 'old-looking' town — including £10,000 for new play equipment.

But setting Wigton Town Council's budget for the next year was a difficult process, with councillors acknowledging the impact the coronavirus pandemic is still having on everyone.

The £30,000 precept increase proposed by the finance committee for the 2021-2022 financial year would take the total from £270,000 to £300,000, the town clerk told councillors, adding that it was not a "massive amount" of difference from the year before.

As they discussed the plans for the play equipment, the committee recognised that 'the town is looking old and in need of new equipment'.

It was said a new pot of money is to be set aside to complete some of these tasks to help the town look more appealing.

Local authorities in England will also be able to raise council tax by five per cent from April, with three per cent used to top up adult social care budgets.

The chairman of the finance committee said: “I recommend the budget be accepted as it is. It provides for slightly more income than expenditure. We have to allow for unforeseen circumstances like we have faced this past year. We still have to provide good services for the town and we don’t want to have to cut anything."

But some councillors wanted the precept to only increase by £20,000.

Councillor Sandra Hodson said: “Instead for going for this, I would rather go for the lower option, purely because of the situation with Covid-19 — a lot of people are not work and are really struggling.”

When asked for suggestions on how to make this work, Cllr Hodson admitted it would be really difficult saying 'as a council we’re in a really hard place'.

Councillor David Ferriby said: “I can understand wanting a smaller amount. I wish that was possible. I feel sorry for the people that are struggling. There will be problems if the Allerdale precept goes up to five per cent.”

It was suggested that rather than let the council keep £16,000 in reserves, it should put aside just £6,000 and keep the rate lower or the same as this year.

Councillor Mike Armstrong said there would still be a surplus if they went with the lower amount.

Elaine Lynch, leader of Wigton Town Council, insisted that there was very little difference in the figures and the motion was passed to increase the precept by £30,000.

The council heard that a £500m fund to support people struggling with finances meant councils could “cut bills further for some of the most vulnerable households”.