TWO district councils in Oxfordshire are among just 22 authorities across England who have insisted they will freeze their level of council tax in 2017/18.

Responding to a survey by the Press Association and as previously reported in the Oxford Mail, Cherwell District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council both confirmed council tax will not be increased this financial year.

It comes as 90 per cent of England’s 353 local authorities prepare to increase their level of council tax from April.

Oxfordshire County Council among those planning to put up rates this year by five per cent – the highest rise since 2004, as councils take full advantage of new powers to top up their charges with money ring-fenced for social care.

The Local Government Association has suggested councils have found themselves ‘unable to turn down the chance to raise desperately-needed money for local services’ and warned increases were unlikely to prevent further cutbacks.

Ken Atack, Cherwell’s leader for finance, said: “The current climate makes it very hard for the council to protect services without placing an excessive burden on taxpayers.

“However, our proactive approach to efficiency savings and income generation means that we can balance our books without affecting frontline services.”

On February 16 this year South Oxfordshire also agreed to freeze its council tax for the second year running.

To help raise further funds for local voluntary and community groups the district is introducing a new local ‘lottery’ scheme during 2017.