Just before Christmas, the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles told the Commons that councils had "a moral duty" to maintain the freeze next year as well, in order not go back to what he called the "years of hurt" when council tax bills had doubled under Labour.

BBC: More local authorities look set to increase council tax

We soon became involved in the Christmas celebrations when Salvation Army leader Captain Eric Buchanan - having learnt about my former aid work on a council estate in Bath - drew me into the first of many Sally Christmases.

BBC: Comfort in a cold climate