UTTLESFORD residents will not have to pay more for their district council from April under budget proposals to freeze Council Tax.

A Council Tax freeze for the second year running is a key feature of the district council’s budget for 2012/13, details of which have just been published ahead of next week’s Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Other important features of the budget include:

• No cuts to frontline services

• �26,000 extra in grants to the voluntary sector

• �10,000 for training Special Constables

• �30,000 for economic development work to encourage business growth in the district

• �20,000 for community-led planning - such as helping parish councils develop parish plans

Cabinet member for finance and administration, Cllr Robert Chambers, said: “The council is in good financial shape and I am delighted we have been able to draft a budget which continues to protect frontline services while making more money available to the community for worthwhile projects.

“Economic times remain tough so I am pleased that we have built in a further freeze in the district element of council tax from April which, if approved, should help all residents.

“It is testament to the council’s continued focus on financial stability that has meant we have been able to draw up this budget while still accommodating a further 13.8 per cent cut in the money we receive from central Government - a reduction of �430,000.

“All public sector bodies face a challenging few years as the coalition government’s deficit reduction programme continues, but I believe Uttlesford District Council is as well-placed as any organisation to deal with it.”

The budget will be subject to examination by the Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on Tuesday (Feb 7), before going on to Cabinet on Thursday February 16 and then Full Council for approval on Thursday February 23.