A TOWN council has released details of a range of community schemes it hopes to develop during the next financial year.

Stanley Town Council is increasing the amount requested from residents by 2.95 per cent, from April.

It means people in a band A property will have to pay £61.69 for the year, an increase of £1.77.

The decision was made at council meeting in the Civic Hall on Tuesday evening.

Council leader Cllr David Marshall said: “We want an environment where people feel safe and are proud to live here.”

The council currently has reserves of £230,000 and the authority will have a further £702,000 next year.

The authority has said there will be a neighbourhood warden and environmental services team to improve the area and a detached youth project to support young people with activities during school holidays and after school.

There will be a new centre in Stanley to make sure people have support and advice on accessing benefits, including the roll out of Universal Credit, and how to access food banks and other key services.

Funds will also support PACT House, as well as providing a new home for the Just for Women’s Centre.

There will be feasibility study and the development of an outline business case on a new town centre heritage centre in the former council offices to celebrate the town’s history.

Cllr Jeanette Stephenson: “We want to support the communities we serve and make a real difference to the lives of people in the area.”