Chorley Council is set to freeze its portion of council tax and has vowed to maintain frontline services despite significant cuts in its central government grant.

In the budget for 2011/12 the Conservative-led council will also freeze parking charges, maintain funding for 22 PCSOs and keep levels of financial support for the voluntary sector.

Council leader Peter Goldsworthy said charges for other council services such as leisure, sport and burials would rise “broadly in line with inflation”.

The council is facing a reduction in 'formula grant' from central government of 14 per cent for 2011/12 and 13 per cent for 2012/13.

Councillor Goldsworthy said that the council had been able to weather the storm of cutbacks by a programme of “ongoing efficiency savings” which has seen number employed since April 1 last year fall from 368 to 350 and chief executive Donna Hall, who earned in excess of £140,000 per year, becoming part-time.

The authority had also started sharing more services with other councils.

Voluntary sector groups which receive support include Citizens Advice, Homestart and Chorley Arts Partnership.

Councillor Goldsworthy, said: “Since we came to power, council tax has been either frozen or increased well below the rate of inflation and at the same time services have improved.”

Chorley Labour Group announced an alternative budget which they claim would inject an additional £500,000 into Chorley communities.

These will include measures such as providing play areas, alleygates, tree pruning and additional street cleaning paid for by cutting the council’s policy unit and communications department.

Labour Leader Councillor Alistair Bradley said: “Tory claims to be cutting back office costs do not hold water. For too long taxpayers money has continued to be spent on jobs which have no bearing on the delivery of frontline services.

“Having spoken to residents throughout the borough it is clear that they want to see more investment in their own neighbourhoods.”

The budget will be set at a meeting of the full council on March 1.