PUBLIC toilets, elections and looking after Neyland's green spaces will cost taxpayers an extra £3 this year.

On Monday (January 7), Neyland Town Council finalised its precept budget, which outlines its spending for the year ahead.

For 2019/20 households will pay an average of £65 a year towards local services - generating an income of just over £87,000 for the council.

Councillors said the 4.8 per cent increase was due to increased pressure on the town council to provide services previously paid for by the county council.

This includes £3,000 to keep public toilets at Brunel Quay open, with Pembrokeshire County Council paying the other half.

For the first time, £2,500 will also be set aside in case a town council election is called, following changes to how this cost is covered.

There is currently one vacancy on the council's east ward.

The town's play park has a budget of £5,000, and another £5,000 is earmarked to maintain Neyland's green spaces.

A budget of £13,000 has been set aside to pay for Christmas lights and events, and £1,000 for twinning events.

Neyland is twinned with the French town of Sanguinet.

Mayor Simon Hancock said: "I would say that the council represents good value for money with increased proposed expenditure on town development, the maintaining of green spaces and we want to do more with the playpark as well as devoting significant resources for Christmas."