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In the news: Councillors agree annual budget and freeze Council Tax for 2022/23

Basildon Council's portion of council tax will be frozen for 2022/23 and millions of pounds will be invested in ambitious programmes to modernise services for residents, as the council's budget is set for 2022/23.

Council Tax freeze 2022-23 - related

Council Tax freeze 2022-23 - 001
Council Tax freeze 2022-23 - 002
Councillors agreed these proposals at a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday 24 February 2022.

The freeze on Council Tax means the charge for a Band D property will remain at £278.91 per annum. This represents around 14% of residents total Council Tax bill.

Spending and investment plans include:

  • £7million over the next three years to support the regeneration of Basildon Town Centre, delivering a bustling new day and night-time economy to the borough's largest town centre
  • £6million in the council's new build programme, with a further £10million every year for the next five years, to build high quality new homes for residents of the borough
  • A further £1.2million to complete the redevelopment of the Laindon Community Centre, with another £360,000 to deliver improvements across other community centres in the borough
  • £40million to build safer, thriving communities through the Safe and Sound Estates programme
  • £340,000 investment in LED street lights around the borough, replacing outdated technology and bringing light to dimly lit areas
  • £30,000 investment to improve access to cycling in the borough

Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Andrew Baggott, added: "It has been another tough year as we look to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic but I am pleased to say that we are freezing Council Tax. At a time when the cost of heating our homes is going up we believe residents deserve a break.

"Despite the freeze we are continuing with and adding to an ambitious programme of investment and projects to improve the lives and environment of the people of the borough.

"As we agree a budget for the year ahead we are committing to investing in what residents value the most - building new homes, regenerating our town centres, tackling anti-social behaviour and implementing our safe and sounds estates programme."

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Basildon's share of Council Tax makes up 14% of resident's council bills; 71% goes to Essex County Council, and the police and fire services take a further 15% combined.