TIRED Leominster town councillors who got their budget in a twist were thanked by the deputy mayor for "not leaving blood on the floor" after they resolved differences in a spending row.

Two councillors walked out, one went home in tears and it was feared the town clerk was considering his position after an upset at Leominster's annual budget meeting last month.

Peace prevailed after eight members - half the council - took the rare step of requesting the budget decision be thrown out this week.

They overturned a controversial motion by June French, seconded by Derek Eley, to peg the 'parish' level council tax precept before deciding on spending commitments.

The motion called for a small finance committee to "adjust budgets accordingly" a move, which would have taken away the job of shaping the budget from the full council.

Calling for the tax precept to be pegged before discussion, Councillor French said there was public concern about council tax, especially among pensioners.

Pool fund

Other councillors argued the step left no opportunity to cut the precept if that proved possible.

Town Clerk John Wesley said setting a precept before full discussion was "unprecedented."

Mrs French's motion succeeded but some supporters regretted their action.

One said: "We were all tired out - we had also had a meeting the night before. We allowed things to be taken out of our hands."

On Tuesday, after scrapping their decision, councillors went through spending to set a total budget of £153,800, which included a carry forward sum and income on investment.

The tax precept was slashed by more than £9,500 representing an eight per cent reduction for a Band D taxpayer.

The budget includes a bigger spend for youth and an initial injection of £20,000 to the Leominster swimming pool fund.

Chairman, deputy mayor Peter Jones, welcomed "a unanimous decision which left no blood on the floor."

Some members feared the meeting would be rancorous but, in the event, Councillor Jones praised "good manners."