FORESTERS' average council tax bill will increase by around £158 next year, despite plans to cut free services to save funds.
The Forest council voted for a 2.5 per cent increase in charges on Thursday, bringing the average annual bill for a band D property to £1,466.01 including the parish precept.
Gloucestershire county council and Gloucestershire Police have both increased their precept by 2.9 per cent.
The member for efficient council and finance, Cllr Brian Robinson (Cons) presented a controversial package of measures designed to help the council balance its budget.
Plans to scrap the tourist information centres have been axed – until the end of the main tourist season in October.
But the council says it plans to continue promoting the Forest outside the area through the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Destination Management Organisation.
It plans to investigate other methods of local tourist information distribution such as using Post Offices, shops and libraries for leaflets.
Cllr Alastair Fraser (Ind) said: "It would be sheer folly to cut the investment in tourism – it is the life blood of the Forest."
He claimed that tourist numbers were spiralling in the Cotswolds and Bristol and called for increased investment, not budget cuts, to ensure the future of the tourism industry.
Also controversial was a proposal to bring in pest control charges of £30 for people not on income related benefits.
Strong opposition was voiced against the rat control charges and the cabinet was urged to reconsider its plans.
Members highlighted the difficulty of enforcing charges and said public health could be put at risk if those on minimum wage could not afford call out fees.
Cllr Bruce Hogan (Lab) suggested the money saved from a councillor basic pay freeze could be put towards saving free pest control.
Finance officers told the council that keeping the service free would not increase the council tax bill for Foresters.
The Tories pushed the decision through when Cllr Max Coborn (Lab) was taken ill during the crucial vote.
Cllr Lynn Sterry (Lab) said: "I believe we have all been wasting our time – why would we want to encourage tourism in the area when we are going to be over-run with rats!
"We are taking this council back 50 or 60 years by doing away with free pest control – it is a false economy and I am confident what is going to be found in savings will be lost in legal costs."
One stop shops in Cinderford, Lydney and Newent are marked for closure, but the cabinet says it will wait until June to ensure alternative facilities are in place.
The budget was passed by a substantial majority of 32 votes to nine.