In the news: Councillors agree first approval for a Council Tax freeze for 2022/23

At the meeting councillors reviewed a proposed budget for the next financial year, including arrangements to freeze Council Tax for Basildon Council services while continuing to invest in ambitious programmes to modernise services for residents.

The proposals to freeze Council Tax will now be put before Full Council for approval at its meeting on 24 February 2022.

The proposals mean the charge for a Band D property will remain at £278.91 per annum, making up around 14% of residents overall Council Tax bill.

Councillor Stuart Sullivan, Chairman of the Resources and Commercial Committee said: "I am pleased to be able to bring these proposals to freeze our portion of Council Tax to the committee. This proposal is thanks to efficient management of council resources and in recognition of the cost of living pressures that households across the borough are currently facing.

"Despite the proposed 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."

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 proposing to freeze Council Tax. At a time when the cost of heating our homes is going up we believe residents deserve a break.

"We will be setting our budget at the end of February but will be committing to investing in what residents value the most like keeping weekly rubbish collections, tackling anti-social behaviour and implementing our safe and sounds estates programme."

ENDS

Published on 09 February 2022