TAX-PAYERS look likely to have a break for the third year running.

At an executive meeting on Tuesday Redcar and Cleveland Council's chief executive Colin Moore said the authority has once again 'a good chance' of not increasing it's part of the council tax next year.

The news was a boost to Labour leaders, who hold the council by a tight margin, ahead of next year's May elections which will follow the budget set in March.

However, opposition leaders will point to the fact that the council has been criticised in recent years for charging the second highest council tax in the UK, although the tax levy is now twenty third highest in the country.

The update on the latest budget projections came after the Government announced last week that the borough would receive an eight per cent increase in funding, a rise on previous years.

Council tax-payers could still face an increase in their bills in the coming year due to a rise in the cost of the police and fire services.

Addressing the powerful executive committee, Mr Moore said: "In each of the last two years we have not increased the council tax, however we have invested substantial sums in services.

"If you did still decide to raise the council tax this year all the rise should, on current projections, be able to go into improved services.

"It looks pretty good but there are still plenty of things that could go wrong."