TAXPAYERS in Westbury will have to pay £40,000 less to fund their town council next year.

On Tuesday councillors voted to slash their budget from £290,504 last year to £249,547 in 2005/06.

But the reduction may have little effect, as overall tax bills are heading for another big rise.

Next year the average Band D household in Westbury will pay £12 less for their town council services.

Last year's Westbury figure was £67.50. In 2005/06 this will be cut to £55.47.

The main reason behind the drop is the £100,000 one-off payment the town council made last year when it took trusteeship of the Laverton Hall.

Rises in parking charges remain a contentious subject, but the town council has made savings in this area.

As a result of West Wiltshire District Council's review of charges, it has decided to keep one hour's free parking in the Warminster Road car park. The town council will continue to subsidise parking elsewhere in Westbury, but the annual amount it will pay will drop by almost £9,000 to £17,262.

The budget includes £2,000 for the Citizens Advice Bureau and £1,000 for the Tourist Information Centre.

Trowbridge Town Council's policy and resources committee rejected budgets from committees that would have led to a council tax rise of over 50 per cent.

Town clerk Doug Ross said: "The figure was the wish list from various committees and what the committee did was look at the overall result and say 'that is not acceptable'."

The figures will be looked at again and cuts made before the budget is reconsidered on Friday.