FOR the third year running, the council tax for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority has been frozen and the charge remains at £73.64 for a Band D council taxpayer.

Members of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority approved the 2013/2014 budget for the Fire and Rescue Service in the two counties at £32.549m - a budget that requires no increase in council tax.

This means that in the 12 months from April, Band D council taxpayers will once again pay £73.64 a year (or £1.42 a week) as their share of the total cost of the service.

Councillor Derek W Prodger MBE, chair of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “In this challenging financial climate, the authority is more committed than ever to providing value for money and being efficient with its resources. Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service continues to be a relatively low spending yet high performing service.”