A GOVERNMENT fund could result in Council Tax bills being frozen in Hertsmere for the second year running.

Unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne this morning, money will be offered to local authorities to freeze taxes at current levels.

The Chancellor said councils, which agree to limit spending rises to 2.5 per cent, will be able to draw on a £805 million fund to stop any increase being passed on to taxpayers.

He is due to give more details of the scheme during his speech at the Conservative party conference in Manchester today.

The Government cannot force councils to freeze bills and it will be at the discretion of the local authorities to apply for the funding.

Responding to the announcement, a brief statement from the Leader of Hertsmere Council Morris Bright (Con/Elstree) said: “I am currently at the Conservative party conference and have been listening to Chancellor George Osborne.

“I will be meeting with the council’s portfolio holder for finance, Cllr John Graham, tomorrow and I look forward to discussing the proposals with him, and my fellow councillors.”

The council has already started its budget process and a decision on any rise in council tax is usually taken in February before the start of the next financial year in April.