Taxpayers in Watford will pay two per cent more in borough council tax than they did last year.

Last night, Watford Borough Council passed a budget which the Liberal Democrats says "aims to look after the vulnerable and tackle the climate emergency".

As part of the new budget, council tax will rise by 2 per cent in each band - so the average Band D taxpayer will pay £273.59 in the next financial year which is £5.36 more than last year.

This is on top of a proposed 3.99 per cent tax rise by Hertfordshire County Council and an expected rise by the Police and Crime Commissioner office too.

Even with the tax rise, the Lib Dems needed to fill a budget gap in Watford of £1.083 million over the next three years, and the £45 garden waste collection charge, which was agreed earlier this month, will help bring in £1.185 million over the next three years to fill that gap.

The Labour Party proposed an amendment to the budget put before them last night which would have seen plans for a garden waste collection charge scrapped - because the party would also scrap the Mayor of Watford's transport schemes which are coming to the town this spring.

An on-demand minibus service, a bike hire scheme, and a transport navigation app will cost Watford council £2.1 million over the next three years.

Labour say it would save £918,000 on the Lib Dems proposal by ditching the Mayor's transport plans - or "vanity project" as Labour describe it - and garden waste collection charge.

Cllr Nigel Bell, leader of Watford Labour, said: "This is outrageous behaviour by the Liberal Democrats. They want to charge residents an additional £45 for green waste collection that they have already paid for in their council tax. It’s like charging twice for the same service.

"Watford residents are up in arms about this, especially since there is close to a million pound gap in their finances. It’s irresponsible and imprudent."

Labour councillor Matt Turmaine, who is chairman of the finance scrutiny committee, said: "Finances are tough right now for many Watford residents as well as the council.

"Surely, now is not the time to embark upon a series of costly projects which, however admirable of intent, are being implemented just as national government support for councils is becoming ever more uncertain?"

Labour also proposed spending £60,000 improving the street scene in Vicarage Road near the football stadium. The party's budget would also have seen council tax rise by 2 per cent. Overall, the party said its proposals would have left a budget gap of £165,000 over the next three years, compared to the Lib Dems £1.083 million.

The Lib Dems say the agreed budget commits the council to investing in support for people experiencing homelessness, delivering the mayor’s new sustainable transport programme, improvements to the River Colne, new facilities at Oxhey Park, and provides a new climate emergency fund.

Mayor Peter Taylor said: "I’m delighted that we have passed a budget last night that puts our values into practice. 

"Despite every Watford councillor voting to declare a climate emergency last year, it is shocking that at the first time of asking, Labour have tried to block initiatives to improve transport and tackle climate change in our town. 

"They simply can’t be trusted to tackle the climate emergency and make Watford a greener place to live.

"Labour are all over the place in Watford. Some of their own councillors couldn’t bring themselves to support their own proposals.

"I am proud that Liberal Democrats are able to pass a budget that protects the vulnerable, tackles the climate emergency and delivers excellent services for everyone in our town."