Communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles has praised councils that have signed up to the Government's council tax freeze offer.

With over a month to go until final budget decisions are taken, the CLG says that 152 councils in England are preparing to freeze or reduce council tax next year. Councils which have indicated they are going further and cutting council tax in cash terms include Hammersmith and Fulham, South Oxfordshire, Stratford-on-Avon, Tendring and Windsor and Maidenhead.