Canterbury City Council has frozen its share of council tax bills for the forthcoming year after accepting a Government subsidy.

The offer of a one-off Government grant to local authorities avoided a potential 2.5% increase for a typical band D property in the Canterbury district whose occupiers will continue to pay £178.65.

But members of the executive had to decide whether freezing council bills for one year would be the best option in the longer term when Government money may not be forthcoming in future years.

Executive member for finance, Cllr Peter Lee told members on Monday that the council budget had gone through a rigorous process and he believed all the increases in charges, including parking, were 'reasonable’.

He added that the council was still 'adventurous’ and committed to future capital projects when affordable.

In a report by chief executive Colin Carmichael and finance director Ian Cooke to members, it was said the council would continue to pursue its policy of 'user pays’ to reduce the burden on other council tax payers.

But they also say that without a four-year Government settlement, it made the authority’s future financial planning and projections difficult.

Council leader John Gilbey said: “I think we have done very well to get ourselves in this position when other councils are a lot worse off.

“We have survived another year despite quite substantial cuts in revenue.”

The executive has now recommended freezing council tax which is expected to be approved at the next meeting of the full council.