COUNCIL tax bills have been “frozen” in Bournemouth for the third year running.

Cabinet members voted to reduce bills by 0.7 per cent, which will absorb increases in the police and fire precepts and keep bills the same.

The council tax bill for a Band D property remains at £1,258.

The council has decided to release more than £23 million from reserves to ensure there are no cuts to frontline services.

Budgets for children’s services and adult social care have been boosted by an extra £6 million.

Allowances to councillors have also been frozen for the fourth consecutive year.

And members agreed to proposals for £5,000 to be allocated to each ward in the borough for “small but necessary improvements” in local areas.