A two-year freeze in council tax has been approved by Lambeth Council’s cabinet.

The freeze, intended to help residents out during the economic downturn, was approved on Monday along with the council’s budget.

The Labour-run council has promised the freeze will be implemented without any cuts to frontline services.

But critics highlighted cuts in the budget for adults with learning difficulties, while £1.5m will be cut from looking after children in care.

The cabinet argued the council has simply made efficiency savings across its services – £36m in total – and the quality of service will not be affected.

The cultural services department, which has suffered a freeze in services such as park maintenance and some library spending after a projected £2.5m overspend last year, has not yet set its budget.

Conservative leader Councillor John Whelan said this suggested the problems in the department were not being resolved and all the while the borough’s parks and libraries were suffering.

But council officers said the budget proposals gave more time to addressing issues and looking at the environment across the department to address the budget properly.

Council leader Steve Reed said officers from across the council should be celebrated for the £36m efficiency savings that had allowed the freeze.

He added: “I think its right we go with a two year freeze because its important people keep their money in their pockets as much as possible at this time.”

Cabinet member for finance and resources, Councillor Jim Dickson, said the council was moving the budget at a time of great economic uncertainty and the budget reflected that, both in allowing suitable reserves in case of further financial crisis and saving money for residents.

He said: “This is a budget which is good for the community, right for the community and good for services.”