Lancashire County Council to freeze council tax?

The county council accounts for the largest proportion of council tax bills as it is responsible for around 80% of local government spending, overseeing major services like schools, road maintenance and social care.

The proposed freeze will be put to a meeting of the full council for a decision on Thursday, February 21st, when the council’s budget for 2013-14 will also be set.

County councillor Geoff Driver, Leader of the council, said: “It continues to be a very tough period for the economy and we have made provision to freeze council tax again this year to avoid putting household budgets under any extra pressure.

“The reductions in council funding from government led us to set a three-year budget back in February 2011 and, because we put a clear plan in place right through until March 2014, we have been able to plan for another freeze whilst protecting frontline services.

“Over the course of the three years we’ll have spent over £200m less on management and administration alone, as we seek to minimise the impact of any savings on front line services.

“County council staff are working hard to deliver the budget plan and, although it hasn’t been easy for them either, they can already move into 2013-14 with certainty about what needs to be done.”