A SECOND successive council tax freeze, alongside savings of nearly £9 million, was expected to receive the go-ahead at a special budget meeting last night.

But council house tenants were facing a possible rent rise averaging 7.63 per cent.

Among the immediate measures proposed included savings from the costs of home to school transport for pupils with special educational needs and the scrapping of council posts which are either vacant and/or no longer required. The latter plan could save as much as £1.484 million.

The expected freezing of the council tax for the second successive year will mean those in Band A continue to pay £971.15 and Band D £1,456.73. The proposed £8.9 million of cuts for 2012-13 is in line with Bury Council’s plans to make savings totalling nearly £18 million over the next three years.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of the council, said: “These are tough economic times, with people losing their jobs and salaries being cut, and high inflation eating away the little money they have.

“We feel that the council should do what it can to help residents, rather than add to their financial worries. So, despite the massive grants cuts imposed by the Government on Bury, we think that the council tax should be frozen.”

The council consulted widely on its Plan for Change, which outlined its priorities and spending plans for the next three years.