Long-awaited repairs to key historical areas of Ludlow are set to get under way after councillors agreed a rise of more than seven per cent in council tax.

Residents last night heard how the 7.1 per cent increase in Ludlow Town Council’s share of the council tax, which had already been approved by councillors, will finance essential maintenance.

More than 50 attended the town council’s AGM last night to hear that the urgent repairs to the Buttercross, which has been shrouded in scaffolding for months, will cost about £43,000.

Henley Road Cemetery also needs attention including drainage work costing about £10,000.

And a collapsed wall in Castle Gardens comes with a heavy price tag of £40,000, the meeting heard.

Town councillor Martin Taylor-Smith said: “As residents will have seen from last night there are changes coming about in the town council and the focus over the next year will be about providing a more efficient service and rolling out a comprehensive programme of work.”

He said the district and county councils were assisting Ludlow town council with its resources.

On Monday councillors unanimously approved the budget for 2009/10 and issued a precept to Shropshire Council of £309,989, which, based on band D equivalent properties, would result in an average council tax of £84.82 for a band D property.

Meanwhile, Craven Arms town councillors approved their new precept for the town last night. Chairman Councillor Neville Stephens said they decided on a budget of £35,000 for the year £5,000 less than last year.