Shropshire Council proposes a council tax 'freeze'

Shropshire Council has proposed freezing its share of the council tax bill for the next financial year.

Despite council budget cuts the authority said it was important to help people as much as possible during the economic downturn.

If approved the council's share of the council tax bill will be frozen next year, and any future increases will be below the rate of inflation.

Tax rates have also been frozen by the county's police and fire authorities.

But local parish and town councils set their own council tax rate, so the total payable will differ from area to area.

Councillors will consider the proposals at a meeting of the full council on 24 February.

Leader of the council Councillor Keith Barrow said: "We are all having to tighten our belts at the moment, and we hope that by freezing council tax we are doing our bit to help householders.

"Council tax takes up a greater percentage of the income of those on lower wages and fixed incomes, so keeping levels frozen helps the people who need it the most."