A BUDGET for a ‘better and greener’ Otley has been agreed by the Town Council.

Councillors unanimously approved a budget for the coming year of £537,830 when they met on Monday, January 27.

A precept of £460,000 has been set to back the plans - a 4.5 per cent rise which equates to an annual increase of £3.93 (7.5 pence a week) for Band D households, which will pay £91.03 for 2020-21.

Town Council Chair Councillor Richard Hughes (Lib Dem, West Chevin) said the focus of new spending would be on ‘projects to support the local economy and develop a more liveable town in line with the Neighbourhood Plan’, while delivering on the council’s commitment to sustainability.

One of the key schemes being supported is Otley StreetVision2030, a long-term initiative to make the town more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. Cllr Hughes says the project should ‘produce a sensitively remodelled and sustainable town, well-placed for the challenges of the decades to come.’

He said: “The money (for this) will allow the support from Mobycon, the Dutch sustainable town consultancy, to continue and, it is hoped, fund some early works.”

Looking ahead, he added: “This is a critical year for Otley.

“With the Neighbourhood Plan and StreetVision2030 setting out plans for the next decade, we are determined to fund development that will ensure the town remains a great place to live and work in the face of the climate emergency and other challenges.”

The budget also includes funds for the Wharfedale Greenway project and investment at Gallows Hill nature reserve.

Further support has also been provided for the Investing in Otley scheme, which helps local community infrastructure initiatives.

Councillor Mick Bradley (Green, Danefield) said: “I fully support the budget because, in addition to maintaining funding for ongoing items such as the town’s public toilets and Christmas lighting, the council is looking ahead and committing to creating a better town for all residents.

“The budget for StreetVision and alongside it Otley 2030 sets a course for our town to become an example to others of how to create a reduced, calmer flow of traffic which supports local shopping and leisure.

“It seeks to create a more relaxed and yet more vibrant town centre, one which is safer and with improved air quality. And Otley 2030, which anyone can join, seeks to address the declared climate emergency through, for example, improving both existing and new homes to provide affordable low carbon comfort.

“Another piece in this jigsaw is the upcoming local referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan for which a ‘yes’ vote would give us more say over how change happens in the next decade.”