Three Rivers District Council has announced a cut in its Council Tax for the third year running.

In Three Rivers, the latest reduction of 0.66 per cent means that the average Band D Council taxpayer will be charged £1 less from April.

This means that the Band D charge for the district council component will be set at an average of £154.30. The cut follows reductions of 0.27 per cent in the current financial year and 0.5 per cent in 2010 to 2011.

Councillor Matthew Bedford, Liberal Democrat representative, said that according to research Three Rivers is the only district authority in England to have a lower Council Tax level than five years ago.

The cabinet member for resources said: “Since 2005 we have saved over £3million through increased efficiency and careful financial management. “People will be paying less Council Tax to Three Rivers than they were six years ago.

“We are working hard to make further increases in efficiency and to make additional savings.”

As part of the budget, Councillor Bedford pledged to continue to safeguard frontline services and said that the council will also provide additional recycling collection rounds, further support for community safety and a small increase in sport provision for all ages. In addition, the budget provided for further promotion of economic development across the district including the renovation of shopping parades and repeated their existing commitment to modernising South Oxhey precinct.

The efficiency savings have been achieved in part by Three Rivers’ joint working with Watford Borough Council.