| Newbury taxpayers will have to find an extra £50 a year, after West Berkshire Council voted through an above inflation council tax rise of 3.9% last night.
Despite receiving a record handout from the government, the Liberal Democrats unveiled a new programme of spending priorities, including extra library books, and hiring someone to work with gypsy families.
However, the Liberals headed off a revolt by some of their own councillors by agreeing to shelve the £120,000 refurbishment of the council chamber, and to use the money to reinstate the Wash Common library shut last April.
Council leader Royce Longton said: “This year the council tax rise is only 3.9% - an extra 60p a week for an average household – and is lower still than Central Government orders, and is lower than the national average for this year.”
Newbury mayor and executive councillor Mike Rodger added: “The Liberal Democrats are committed to a better deal for our community and our schools. Delaying the council’s proposals to spend £120,000 on refurbishing the Council Chamber, and diverting this money into Extended Schools programme to benefit the East or the district or Park House.”
The schools programme will allow Park House School to build a community library in its grounds, after a Tory amendment was understood to have gained support from Liberal councillors for Wash Common.
Other Liberal Democrat spending plans approved are the £3.7m restoration of Shaw House, and the £600,000 revamp of the Market Place.
The final council tax bill for a Band D home in Newbury will be £1295. | 
