THE average Wyre Forest household will stump up an extra £56 this year after councillors voted for a 2.5 per cent council tax increase.

Wyre Forest District Council approved the Conservative budget, backed by the Liberal group, after a lengthy and often ill-tempered debate at Stourport Civic Centre.

District councillors approved the Tories' spending plans, including the council tax rise - below the national average of 3.9 per cent - but voted against amendments from other political parties.

The decision means the district council's share of the overall bill increases to £188.10 - up from £183.51 - for Wyre Forest people in Band D properties.

In total, the district's taxpayers will now pay an average bill, before parish precepts, of £1,406 - up from £1,349.

Amendments from the Health Concern and Labour groups both included plans to use the district council's long-term capital funds, instead of revenue money, to pay for several projects.

Howard Martin, Health Concern party Leader, also wanted cash to help Wyre Forest's small businesses and money for community bodies.

Mike Kelly, Labour group Leader, urged budget money be put aside for weekly summer bin collections, bus shelter repairs and a tree study.

The amendments were defeated and the budget passed by 28 votes, comprising Conservative, Liberal and Liberal Democrats, to Labour's three. Health Concern's 10 members abstained.

The result means projects to rebuild Habberley Road changing rooms, develop a new cemetery and provide cash to help refurbish Stourport Sports Centre can begin.

Residents will see district council car park charges increase by 4.5 per cent from October.

There will also be a consultation over the doubling of fares on the Dial-A-Ride bus service from 50p to £1.

District councillors backed 2.5 per cent increases for both 2009/10 and 2010/11 but future budgets will still have to go through council.

Council tax is collected by the district council on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia Constabulary and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

County councillors and both police and fire authorities have already each approved more than four per cent hikes in their share of council tax, making up the remaining part of the bill.

The cash goes to pay for services including bin collections and road repairs and providing frontline services, like education, from April.