TAXPAYERS in Cherwell will benefit from a tax freeze for its district council services for the eighth year in a row.

Cherwell District council has agreed that residents will pay the same rate for its share of the council tax as it has been since 2009.

This means for the district services taxpayers in Cherwell will remain at £123.50 a year for band D households.

Cherwell District Council lead member for finance councillor Ken Atack said: "With the decision to freeze its share of the council tax yet again, Cherwell is showing that it is determined to deliver the high quality services our residents need without forcing them to pay more."

He added: "At Cherwell we have been working hard to generate savings through initiatives such as our joint working with South Northamptonshire Council. This allows us to protect services in the face of cuts handed down by Government, so that people pay no more than is strictly necessary for services such as waste and recycling collections, leisure centres and street cleansing."

Despite the district council's tax freeze, residents will notice a rise in their overall council tax rates as Oxfordshire County Council is expected to increase its share by 4.99 per cent - the highest hike since 2004 - which means Band D households will pay the authority £1,345.59 a year.

On top of this Thames Valley Police is expected to raise its share by 1.99 per cent also.

Cherwell District Council will be sending out the council tax bills from March 13, of which the district council retains 7.1 per cent.

The remainder is split 77.8 per cent to Oxfordshire County Council and 9.8 per cent to Thames Valley Police.

The remaining 5.3 per cent is dished out to parish councils.