kmilanian@thekmgroup.co.uk

Medway's budget for this year has been approved after a meeting of the full council last night (Thursday).

Cllr Alan Jarrett, deputy leader of the council, announced the budget at the St George's Centre in Chatham Maritime.

The changes, to be made in April, will mean the basic rate of council tax for a band D property will be £1,119.15 before police, fire and parish precepts - an increase of 2.455 per cent, or 54p a week.

The council rejected an amendment put forward by the Labour group to introduce a free bus pass scheme for 11 to 18-year-olds while the Liberal Democrats scored a victory after the majority Tory vote approved an amendment on parking permits.

The amendment means the fee for resident parking permits will remain at £25 for the next three years.

The budget also included spending £100,000 on pot hole repairs and £700,000 on providing more car parking places in Chatham, Strood and Gillingham.

Cllr Jarrett, said: "Year on year we manage to deliver a budget that allows us to set council tax for homeowners at far less than many other councils and we have done it again this time by delivering a budget for all.

"We have managed to do this while ensuring that the frontline services Medway Council provides for its residents are not affected and continue to provide good value for money.

"We continue to have the lowest council tax bill in the whole of Kent and one that is lower than most other councils countrywide."