COUNCIL tax for residents in Winchester is set to be frozen next year, the district’s finance chief has said.

City council portfolio holder for finance Cllr Guy Ashton made the announcement to councillors at a meeting last week.

He said: “Thanks to strong financial management by the Conservative administration and a continued focus on driving efficiency throughout the council, we are now able to meet our financial challenges without having to increase the tax burden on residents.

“We have worked extremely hard to strengthen the council’s financial position, and to generate savings and income over the last few challenging years.

“It is the right thing to do and we are proud to be able to do it.”

This would mean the tax charge from the city council would remain at £138.92 for the average Band D property in 2019/20.

However, details of the other charges that make up residents’ overall bill, including from Hampshire County Council and police and fire services, are yet to be revealed.

City council leader Cllr Caroline Horrill said: “We are delivering this freeze while at the same time improving our refuse service to include kerbside glass collection, revamping our planning services, building 600 affordable homes and making sure our regeneration projects for the city and district become a reality.

“All this will do much in the years to come to make Winchester district the very best place to live, but one that also offers excellent value for money to residents.”