COUNCIL tax is set to be frozen for the fifth year running next year.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed to launch a public consultation on the proposals to freeze the borough’s share of council tax at the 2010 level for another year at a meeting last night.

This would mean the cost of the borough council's services will stay at 29p per day for an average household across Basingstoke and Deane from April 2015, if agreed by councillors at a full council meeting in February.

As part of the proposals in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, a two per cent increase in fees and charges, including parking fees in council-owned car parks, would be put in place but free 30-minute parking in the Top of The Town would be maintained.

Residents will be asked what they think of the budget plans in the council’s newsletter, which will be delivered to homes across the borough at the end of November.

With Government funding set to reduce further in the coming years the council has to plan how it intends to find at least half-a-million-pounds of savings each year in the future.

The borough council is also proposing to allocate an additional £960,000 next year to support the delivery of priorities in the council plan.

This includes earmarking money to keep community safety patrollers on the streets, taking forward the drive to make the Top of The Town a more vibrant place and continuing specialist welfare support for those struggling financially.

It is also proposed to earmark a total of up to £4.5m to invest in new ways of tackling homelessness in the borough, building on over £600,000 already invested in helping Sentinel Housing Association to buy 17 homes that can be used to support people who would otherwise be forced into bed and breakfast accommodation.

Cabinet member for property, finance and commissioning, Councillor John Izett, said: “Over the last five years the council has found over £7.6m in savings without affecting frontline services to keep council tax bills down despite reducing government funding and rising costs.

“It is no wonder that so many people said the council gives them value for money in our latest residents’ survey.

“The budget for the coming year focuses on what residents have said are their top priorities – regular rubbish and recycling collections, keeping streets clean and litter-free and dealing with antisocial behaviour.

"We are also investing in major initiatives that will bring more jobs and an even better future for our residents.”