TAX paid to Stroud Town Council by residents is expected to stay the same next financial year - despite the financial crisis.

The annual charge, which is £88.75 for a band D property, would be kept low through efficiency savings and cutting expenditure by £31,000.

But councillors at Monday's recreation and finance committee stressed that routine services would not suffer under the proposed budget.

Deputy mayor Andy Read said: "It’s not huge sums of money but in the current climate, it’s good for us to show restraint and not put additional burden on people who are finding it hard.

"There’s nothing we’re doing at the moment to cut services and lower out ability to deliver.

"We’ve managed quite well for the last three to four years and we’ve got the capacity not to ask for more in terms of the overall precept."

Cllr Read said increasing the tax in-line with the predicted inflation of two per cent would only raise an extra £8,000, which was needed.

But he warned the budget could still change as the Government sets taxation.

Councillors hope to receive a total of £520,000 next financial year, raising £395,150 from a precept on council tax and £124,850 from other sources.

The draft budgeted expenditure is £519,000 and the budgeted general reserve is £133,802.

Among the proposed funding is £25,000 for Uplands Post Office, £5,000 towards plans for Stroud’s first athletics track, £2,000 for a neighbourhood warden and £8,000 for energy efficiency projects.

The budget recommends £5,000 for the Space, £5,000 for the Fringe Festival and £2,000 for the Impress print Festival.

There are proposals for £10,200 for Stroud in Bloom, £6,500 for the Christmas lights and £1,000 for Stroud Goodwill Evening.

A total of £21,500 will be given to support other community groups in the town, including The Door, the Marah Trust and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

A total of £9,000 will also be set aside to tackle cleanliness and bus facilities.

The final budget decision will be made at a full town council meeting in January.