RESIDENTS in Fareham will see their council tax frozen for the fourth year in a row.

Councillors approved plans to freeze the rate at their annual budget meeting – meaning the average Band D property will pay £142.27 for Fareham Borough Council services per year.

Leader of the council Sean Woodward also pledged to freeze car parking charges, extend a council apprenticeship scheme and replace agency staff at the council with full-time employees.

The council also agreed to set aside £20,000 for the Fareham Park Gateway Project to help regenerate north-west Fareham.

An overall revenue budget for the financial year 2012/2013 of £10,458,500 was passed.