YOU won’t have to pay any more in the year from April for services like planning, waste collection and environmental health.

Taunton Deane Council is expected to freeze council tax for the third time in four years, keeping the average Band D rate at £137.88.

But council house rents are likely to rise 2.2% from an average £82.06 to £83.88.

Somerset County Council – which accounts for most of the bill to fund services like education and social services - Avon and Somerset Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and parish councils have yet to set their bills.

Deane leader Cllr John Williams (Conservative) said the authority is protecting frontline services despite savage cuts in what it receives from the Government.

Freezing council tax qualifies the Deane for a £62,000 Government grant, while a shared services scheme with West Somerset Council has saved the council £1.6million.

Mr Williams outlined measures to improve the environment, including: *£102,000 for extra street cleaning, grass cutting and weed spraying; *£55,000 on removing discarded needles, support for drug users to beat their addiction and educating young people about the dangers of legal highs; *£10,000 for post-event waste collection; *£8,000 to re-open public toilets in Hamilton Park, Taunton.

Over £9million will go on capital projects, including £1million for new council houses, £6.7million to improve the existing stock and £800,000 on disabled facilities and adaptations in homes.

Mr Williams said: “Through delivering efficiency in how we work, we are protecting frontline services as well as investing in initiatives.

“We have effectively set aside £2.8million to support growth and regeneration, using our New Homes Bonus (from the Government) and this will support investment in important infrastructure and other projects aimed at boosting the local economy.”

Planning for the future to avoid going into the red as the Government cuts handouts to councils still further, the Deane is looking at sharing more services with other councils.

It will also sell off its Deane House HQ and relocate to a public sector hub at County Hall in the next few years.

Opposition leader Cllr Simon Coles (LibDem) said the Conservatives had rejected the environment improvements last year when they were proposed by his group.

He added: “I’m pleased they have now taken them on board after the full council meeting in December, when we put them forward again, and following our motion at the scrutiny committee last week.”