There's to be a budget standstill in Narberth.

Town councillors have agreed that there will be no change in their overall precept for the forthcoming year.

At their meeting on Tuesday night - their first of 2010 - members rubber-stamped the precept at £35,000.

Many of the expenditure budgets will remain the same, including the castle maintenance at £1,650, the burial ground at £2,700, £5,000 for the Christmas lights fund and £1,000 for building maintenance at the Town Hall.

But there have been a number of adjustments.

There was an £800 increase in the environment improvements pot to cater for the increased overall area to be cut, including the Narberth Bridge area, while based on the historical spend, the sundries budget has been increased from £250 to £600.

The Mayor's expenses budget has also gone up £200 to £2,000 to better reflect the true costs incurred in fulfilling the role.

In addition, there is the usual increase in the clerk's salary to reflect the progression increment anticipated in April and the clerk's expenses which has been set to reflect the clerk's contract of employment and historical spend for administrative materials.

Council will also be making their traditional donations to local groups, with the Friends of the Lee Davies Centre receiving £2,800 and Bloomfield, the Queen's Hall, Narberth Museum and Bus Stop project all receiving £1,500.

Financial gifts of £500, meanwhile, will be given to the swimming pool, allotments, cricket youth, rugby youth and football youth.

The same figure will also be given to Civic Week and the Winter Carnival.

One of the major savings, however, has been in the miscellaneous donations fund, which has been slashed from £1,500 to just £300.

After considering the balance sheets, Deputy Mayor, Clr. Colin Williams, moved council accept the precept and was seconded by Clr. Eric Feetham. Members agreed.

On behalf of all the councillors present, Clr. Williams thanked most sincerely the clerk, Mrs. Caroline Coaker, for her comprehensive report and her hard work in working out the precept.