Councillor Owen said: "It supports the continued improvement of our town, from regeneration and environmental work to events and town centre activity, while keeping the increase to the Town Council element of council tax below inflation." Residents in a Band D property will face a council tax charge of £286.80 for the year, a rise of 2.5 per cent or about 13p per week. The budget includes investment in the Town Hall Transformation project, town centre regeneration, environmental improvements, tourism promotion, and enhanced events and marketing. The council said the budget is designed to maintain financial stability, with planned contributions to reserves and the use of forecast underspends. The council has encouraged residents to review the information and learn more about how the budget will support the town’s strategic goals for the year ahead.