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Politicians traded accusations of cynicism and financial mismanagement as Lancashire County Council set its budget for the year ahead, amid a row over whether it could be claimed that the authority’s council tax had been frozen.

During a five-hour debate, Conservative-controlled County Hall agreed a finance package that broke through the £1bn mark for the first time. It included last-minute extras for additional pothole repairs and a new growth fund for the county, after the latest council tax and business rate collection figures provided an unexpected £3m boost to the coffers.

Council tax itself will increase by 3.99 percent from April - an extra £60 per year on a Band D property - after the county council approved plans to increase its share of residents’ bills by less than the five percent permitted for authorities with social care responsibilities.

Lancashire County Council budget 2023: councillors clash over council tax ‘freeze’ claim, free school meals and pothole repairs