Council Tax bills are going up at least £25 a year for Band D homes, despite widespread cuts to services.

Cambridgeshire County Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority and Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner will all spend less in 2014/15.

Members of HDC agreed to freeze its charges at a full council meeting on Wednesday (February 26), the final authority to decide its fees.

Its portion of the overall cost, just under nine per cent of the Council Tax total, will remain at £133.18 for Band D households.

By not raising its rates, HDC will receive a reward grant from central government, equivalent to a one per cent rise. Government funding for HDC dropped by 24 per cent in 2014/15, compared to 2013/14, forcing the authority to make cuts. It estimates it will save £1.6million this financial year, but warns further savings will be necessary.

Councillor Jonathan Gray, cabinet member for resources, said: “Given the uncertainties in the economy and the reductions in central government funding, we have continued to manage the budget robustly and, although further work is to be done, we have made good progress in identifying savings.”

Payments to the county council will rise by nearly £22 a year for Band D homes. The fire authority’s section of the bill will stay the same, £64.26 a year for Band Ds, while the police will receive an extra £3.50 a year. Overall, Band D charges are up to £1,500,82, excluding parish and town precepts.