KIDDERMINSTER Town Council has explained how much its newly acquired truck is costing taxpayers after it was questioned on social media.

The council recently confirmed it had procured a Ford Ranger Tremor to be used for operational activities across public parks across the town.

They have since broken down the costs of the new vehicle after residents questioned how much the bill is going to be on Facebook. 

A spokesperson for the council explained it was acquired on a four-year lease agreement after an initial payment deposit of £4,975.

They said there are monthly lease payments of £347 and service and maintenance payments of £45 for the 47 months.

They added that the total annual repayments are £4,704 and the total cost over the 4 years is £23,791.

A spokesperson for Kidderminster Town Council said: "It will be utilised for all of our operational activities, across all of our public realm, parks, and open spaces, we do have contractors who carry out large elements of our works, although we are still required to undertake works which require the ability to work across all of our sites, and this vehicle is suitable for such works, with the ability to access the parks and public realm as and when required".

Previously, the chief executive of the council, Hugh Peacocke, explained why its share of tax has shot up by 16.5 per cent.

Mr Peacocke said the rise is in part due to grant aid disappearing for three parks taken over by the council.

He said: "The main element of the increase is due to the fact that the town council has taken on responsibility and ownership of three parks from the district council.

"The district council has provided grant aid towards the parks expenditure for the past three years and this will disappear in 2024/25".