A FREEZE on council tax for Cotswold District Council has been proposed by its cabinet.

There may be a freeze on residents' council tax payments for 2017/18, following a freeze for 2016/17 (the current year).

There was also a five per cent cut in 2015/16, a three per cent cut in 2014/15 and a five per cent reduction in 2013/14.

If approved by full council, the average band D charge for district services would remain at £126.40.

Cabinet members also recommended another freeze on parking and garden waste collection charges.

Commenting after the meeting, CDC Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe said: “I know that many local families find it tough to make ends meet and my intention is always to ensure that they pay as little as possible for a full range of council services.

"Almost all of the councils in the country are raising their share of council tax and I am very pleased to say that Cotswold is bucking that unwelcome trend.

"We are able to freeze council tax payments – and also maintain current charges for the garden waste collection service and car parking – thanks to the savings we are making from increased joint working with other authorities (particularly West Oxfordshire and Forest of Dean) and we are also continuing with a range of efficiency measures.

“We are making great strides towards the next phase of our joint working with partner councils and we are well on course to share in collective savings of £5.6 million per year by 2020."