Hertsmere's share of its residents’ Council Tax bills is to be frozen for the third year running.

Councillor John Graham, finance portfolio holder, said: "Despite reduced government funding we are protecting frontline services and making efficiencies elsewhere to lessen any impact on residents by freezing council tax.

“It is a difficult financial time for many people so by keeping our part of the council tax at the same level we are doing all we can to support our residents.”

Hertsmere Borough Council collects the council tax every year, but the money residents pay does not all go towards the borough council. On average, Hertsmere gets 11 per cent, or 11p in every £1, with Hertfordshire County Council getting 77 per cent and Hertfordshire Police Authority 10 per cent. The remaining 2 per cent, where applicable, goes to the parish or town council.

A zero increase on Hertsmere's part of the council tax will mean that an average household (Band D) will continue to pay around £160 a year - that's around £3 a week - for the range of services Hertsmere provides including waste and recycling collection, planning and environmental health.

The government will allocate Hertsmere around £329,000 for not increasing its share of the council tax.

The freeze was agreed at the full council meeting last night, along with the council’s budget for 2012/13.

Councillor Graham, Conservative representative, said: “The council lost 27 per cent of its Government grant and so we have had to make up the deficit by reducing services and increasing parking charges.

“A survey of residents was conducted in Autumn 2010 asking what services they wanted to maintain and they asked for green bins and PCSOs, which have been protected.

“As a result we had £1.2 million of services unfunded. To save further cash we closed local council offices in Bushey and Potters Bar, and reduced hours of council staff.

“Parking charges have increased by 10p per hour, with residents’ permits costing about £15.

“Grass cutting services have been reduced as well. We have made big savings.

“As a result, when it comes to the budget, financially speaking, the council is exactly where it should be.”