Councillors at Blaby District Council have agreed to freeze council tax for the second year in a row.

This means people living in a Band D property will pay an average of £137.78 in 2012/13 for their district council services, or £2.64 a week.

The tax freeze was agreed at a full council meeting on February 23 when the authority also set its budget for the next 12 months from April 1, which included measures to reduce spending by £489,000.

The budget sets out plans to protect frontline services whilst reducing annual revenue spending from £9.6 million to £9.1 million. This has been achieved by reviewing services to identify savings, cutting energy costs and maximising income wherever possible and appropriate.

Significant capital projects were also announced including investment in leisure facilities at the Pavilion in Huncote, launching a new website to allow people to access more services online and continued financial support for disability grants.

Council leader Ernie White said:

 “Although we still face many challenges this budget represents a significant achievement because we have managed to balance our books whilst protecting key frontline services.

“We continue to invest in services that are valued by people in Blaby district and we are making sure vulnerable people are supported through these tough economic times.”

The Council has reduced its spending by almost £1.5 million (or 13 per cent) over the last two financial years.