Taxpayers in Tenby will have a further freeze to contend with this Christmas - although this time it is probably a welcome one.

In this current chilly economic climate, the town council has agreed to freeze its precept requirement for the forthcoming financial year.

Members agreed to the standstill at their meeting on Tuesday night, following previous discussions by the council's budget working party who met recently.

Although the precept requirement will be set at £145,960.2 for 2011/12, an increase of £668.57 on last year's budget, funds from the council's reserves have been allocated towards the proposed skate park scheme to maintain the precept requirement levied on Tenby householders at 2010/11 levels.

Savings made in relation to the De Valence facility have also been channelled into provision for a skate park/MUGA facility in addition to the allocation from reserves towards the project.

"As such, when income from other sources is taken into account, the proposal is to freeze the Band D equivalent precept levy this year at £55.74, ensuring that the cost to our ratepayers stays the same," explained the town clerk, Mr. Andrew Davies.

Clr. Lawrence Blackhall said he was sure that locals would welcome the precept standstill in these difficult financial times.