Calne Liberal Democrats have honoured their promise to reverse a rise in the precept and have set it at the same rate as 2001.

The town's precept for a Band D property will be reduced from £150.96 to £115.07, a reduction of 31.2 per cent.

The precept will be the same amount to the penny as that in 2001/2002 with no added inflation costs.

The proposal was passed by 11 votes to six at a Calne Town Council meeting last week. All six conservative councillors voted against the reduction.

In the May elections Liberal Democrats won 11 new seats on the strength of their campaign to reduce the precept. The previous council had raised it as a one-off expense to pay for the purchase of the Carnegie Library.

"We have kept our promise. Too many people have been elected on promises they don't keep. The town council will continue to offer a first class service," said Coun Peter Dolman.

But Conservative councillors have criticised the reduction, saying it will cause problems in the future.

"They will have to have it higher next year because they have not added inflation. What concerns me is the long-term benefits of the public in this town and this will cause problems next year for a moment's glory," said Calne Town councillor Ellie Bland.

But Coun Dolman argued they had set a prudent budget and would not need to raise the precept more than inflation next year.

He said 306 houses were being built in the town over the next three years and they would be taxpayers who would help to increase the council's budget.

The council has also agreed to keep £140,000 in the general reserves, up from £50,000 in previous years.