COUNCIL tax for South Gloucestershire has been set at 3.8 percent.

After the original budget-setting meeting was delayed by a week because of indecision amongst the three ruling parties, the rate of tax was eventually agreed on Wednesday.

People living in a Band C property will pay £902 and those in Band D will now pay £1,015.

The increase was as expected and in-line with government recommendations. Councillors have also agreed schemes to spend close to £4 million in unallocated funds on.

The extra money means Yate Library will soon open on Sundays. Cllr Mike Drew said: "This will open the library up to school children, professionals and pensioners alike."

CCTV and Police Community Support Officers will also now be introduced in the north fringe including PCSOs in Winterbourne.

A bid to collected plastic bottles at the road-side along with other household waste was rejected, but 20 extra bottle banks will be bought for the region.

Liberal Democrats have vowed to continue fighting for curb-side collections.

Conservatives, who have long fought for a Winterbourne bypass, were delighted when the £60,000 project was accepted.

Group leader Cllr John Calway said: "I am very pleased that after many years of campaigning we have at last got the money in place to properly assess it. This bypass could make a massive contribution to cutting congestion in Stoke Gifford and Hambrook and is desperately needed."

The Lib Dems, however, said the money could have been better spent.

Leader Cllr Neil Halsall said: "I really doubt whether any South Gloucestershire resident will see any tangible benefit from this money being spent."