COUNCIL tax levels will remain the same for the next financial year after councillors decided to freeze the level. The Executive was due to vote on the plan at the Civic Centre last night (Tuesday). They were also expected to approve the entire �86 millio

COUNCIL tax levels will remain the same for the next financial year after councillors decided to freeze the level.

The Executive was due to vote on the plan at the Civic Centre last night (Tuesday).

They were also expected to approve the entire �86 million capital programme for 2009/10, which includes the building of four new schools and extensions or renovations at six others.

Over the next four years the council's capital projects will cost �428 million which will be partially funded with �100 million of borrowing.

In addition to the schools, other big projects include the new Rush Green Library costing �1.1 million; introduction of wheelie bins, at �2.1 million; and a new �12.5m skills centre for young people.

There are also plans to scrap the council's Citizen magazine and replace it with a newspaper-type publication.

The free paper will save �75,000 to produce and will carry adverts for council services which will no longer appear in the local press.

A total of �1.1 million will be saved by scrapping the regeneration department and making 16 senior managers redundant.

After its expected approval at last night's Executive the programme will go before the full council on February 25.

See next week's POST for full report on the Executive meeting.