Marlovians will continue to pay the town council the same amount of council tax as they have been for the past year.

Marlow Town Council said it will freeze its portion of council tax for the coming financial year, which means the average band D property will continue to pay £51.24 annually in this financial year the 2018/19 financial year, despite a reduction in the council’s income.

However, residents still face a rise in council tax as Bucks County Council has increased its portion by 1.99 per cent, an increase of £1.11p per week for band D.

Mayor Jocelyn Towns said: “We have agreed not to increase our proportion of the council tax this year.

“While our income is reduced, with careful planning we have been able to absorb the reduction within our budget.”

She said while the number of band D properties in the town had increased resulting in a tax base increase, the CTSS – local council tax support scheme – grant has been reduced by 13.5 per cent, leaving a shortfall compared to the last financial year.

Cllr Towns added that the shortfall had been accommodated in the 2018/19 budget calculations.

Marlow’s precept for 2018/19 will be £342,019.83. It was last frozen in 2013/14.