Council tax in the Watford borough has been frozen once again.

The average Band D household will pay £249.84 to Watford Borough Council this financial year after Mayor Dorothy Thornhill’s budget was approved by councillors last week.

But Hertfordshire County Council and the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire are yet to set their budgets.

Mayor Thornhill, in delivering what she called her ‘steady as she goes’ budget, said: “For the services we provide, I believe this does represent real value for money.

“I sympathise with councils around the country who will be putting up council tax as they struggle to cope with the government reductions, but I’m proud we are not among them.

“We know that ensuring the council is providing value for money is important to residents and I am pleased that we have achieved this by keeping a tight grip on our expenditure and continuing to deliver planned savings.”

Mayor Thornhill said in her budget that the council expects to begin construction on the mooted hospital link road in April.

She also revealed that upgrading the town’s satellite car parks and overhauling the council’s IT systems were a priority – which would still leave £2.5m in the capital receipts reserves.

Mayor Thornhill signed off by saying: “I recognise the constraints within which we work – Watford is never going to be either a major city or a quaint market town.

“But I want it want it to be the best it can be – the best of its type and size, where people feel pleased to live, work and visit.”

Labour leader Councillor Nigel Bell proposed amendments to the budget – including taking £1.5m to invest in the St Albans Road area and restore the £50,000 grant to the Women’s Centre.

The opposition also urged the Lib Dems to consider its plan to budget £30,000 towards weekend burials – all of which it claimed could be achieved without borrowing or raising tax.

But the amendments were defeated in the Council Chamber during the Full Council meeting last Wednesday.

Visit www.watford.gov.uk for a full breakdown of the budget.