County council bosses have frozen its council tax share for the fourth year running.

Hyndburn council has already announced a zero increase, meaning council tax bills will go up by no more than a few pounds a year – to cover an increased police precept.

The Tory-led county hall’s proposal is significant, as it accounts for more than 70 per cent of the council tax bill – covering major spending areas such as schools and roads.

Leader Geoff Driver said £200 million of management and administration cuts over the past three years had helped them achieve a zero increase.

He added: “We have made provision to freeze council tax again this year to avoid putting household budgets under any extra pressure.

“The reductions in council funding from government led us to set a three-year budget back in February 2011 and, because we put a clear plan in place right through until March 2014, we have been able to plan for another freeze whilst protecting front line services.”Lancashire Police has increased its precept by 2 per cent, snubbing a government grant for authorities freezing their rates.

The increase equates to an extra £2 per year on council tax bills.

 Hyndburn Conservative leader Coun Peter Britcliffe described the move by Labour's Police and Crime Commissioner as ‘absolutely disgraceful’.

He said: “Why, if crime is falling, do we need to recruit more police? The line that Labour politicians are trotting out is that the people on benefits are going to suffer, and they show how much they care by putting police precepts up.”

The Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said the rise was backed by more than 80 per cent of people consulted.Mr Grunshaw said: “This budget allows me to recruit an extra 50 frontline police officers to ensure resilience.

" I believe that acceptance of the Government grant would hurt the service in the long term by storing up greater financial pressures.“This Government fought to introduce locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners and is at the same time trying to stop them from doing what local people want.”

Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said it was important to protect struggling families, but added: “The police service is a special case.

The safety of the public is most important.”LCC’s full council will vote on the proposed freeze on Thursday, February 21.