A council tax increase of less than one per cent is likely to be approved by Dorchester town council next week.

Another of the authority's committees has overwhelmingly backed the proposed 0.8 per cent rise in the council's share of the tax, although some councillors argued for a bigger rise to help the town as it comes out of the pandemic.

A lone Conservative voice, resident Peter Stein, failed to persuade the policy committee to agree to a two per cent cut which he claimed the council could afford, given its level of cash reserves of around £2million.

The Lib Dem controlled committee argued that sticking to its 'little and often' tax increase policy would be the best for the town.

The meeting heard that 80 per cent who took part in a public consultation, via the town council newsletter, backed the policy and that some of the 20 per cent who did not, argued for a larger rise.

Much of the council spending in the year ahead will go on refurbishing the Municipal Buildings and, subject to planning permission, moving the council offices from North Square to the a new office suite on the back of the building.

Money is also being set aside to take over some services which town councillors believe Dorset Council may want to off-load, including the tourist information service, public toilets and the administration of the joint markets committee.

The council is also keen to help the town's businesses and to develop new walking and cycling routes. Money has also been set aside for further improvement around the Town Pump. The council may also take on a new staff member to help with tourism work.

Town clerk Adrian Stuart said the proposals, between them, would deplete the council's reserves but still leave the authority in a strong financial position to weather any other unforeseen challenges.

He said that despite Covid, which had resulted in a loss of income, the town council was expected to finish the financial year slightly underspent.

Policy committee chair Cllr Susie Hosford said that with Conservative-controlled Dorset Council expected to increase its tax take by five per cent and with the police and fire authorities also likely to go for the maximum increase, Dorchester Town Council was doing well.

Independent councillor Les Fry also backed the 0.8 per cent proposal: "Little and often is the way forward, which has left us in this strong position," he said.