WYCHAVON District council announced plans this week to inject hundreds of thousands of pounds into many of the area's vital facilities and freeze the council tax increase at 2.5 per cent for the seventh consecutive year.

Cash has been earmarked under the new plans to improve and expand many services and facilities including the Citizens Advice Bureau in Evesham, which is set to receive more than £200,000 over the next three years.

The plans were announced on Tuesday at a special board meeting, where Executive Board Member for Resources, Councillor Clive Holt, presented the 2006/2007 budget proposals.

During the meeting, it was also revealed that allocated costs of £120,000 have also been put aside to help fund additional play facilities in Evesham.

Other plans will include enhancing funding on travel tokens for the over 80s and disabled by a further £50,000.

Glass recycling will receive a boost too as the scheme is set to be extended to 46,000 homes by November this year and a garden waste collection service is to be introduced for the elderly and infirm. This will form part of a partnership with Age Concern at a cost of £24,000 over the next two years.

Cllr Holt said: "This is good news for council taxpayers and service users.

"The council now has the 10th lowest precept in the country and it has also been possible to expand and improve services without penalising the taxpayer."

The recommended council tax levy is £98.79 for a band D property, which is 2.5% more than the current year's charge of £96.38.

The board's proposals will be recommended for approval to the council at the end of February.