Parish councils spoiled communities secretary Eric Pickles' desire to deliver a council tax freeze, or a reduction for all local residents during 2011/12.

On the eve of last week's Budget, Mr Pickles announced that all major local authorities in England would oversee average council tax bill freezes or reductions from April. It followed his decision last year to use £650m of Eland House funding to subsidise tax rises for all authorities, provided they were limited to 2.5% or less.