Plans to slim down next year’s district council budget by £1 million were given the stamp of approval at a meeting last week.

The council’s 2014/15 budget was passed three months earlier than normal to assure staff that job losses would not be part of the cost-cutting measures.

During last Wednesday’s full council meeting it was agreed among the saving proposals, from April 1 motorists will be charged a flat £1 rate on Sunday’s to park in the council’s city centre car parks.

It was also confirmed there would be no rise in the district council’s element of council tax for the sixth year running.

In addition, the council made a commitment to focus on three major capital projects, including building a new leisure centre in London Colney, relocating the Museum of St Albans to the Town Hall and rebuilding sports facilities at Batchwood.

Council leader Julian Daly said: “We have managed, through hard work and cooperation between councillors, to get our budget and Corporate Plan agreed three months earlier than is customary.

“Along with other councils across the country, it has been necessary for us to make savings; we have reduced our budget by £1 million overall.

“Our priority is to protect vulnerable people and to take forward projects that will breathe new life into the district.

“Measures to give a boost to the local economy such as the new museum project and events and facilities to attract visitors are all part of this.”

He added: “I am pleased that by settling this before Christmas, we can remove uncertainty for council officers concerned about losing their jobs because of budget decisions.”