Essex County Council propose to up council tax by £49

The council has revealed its draft plan and budget for 2019/20 including a proposed 3.99 per cent increase.

This represents a £48.69 rise for band D residents, who could now pay £1,270.44 a year in addition to the demands set by borough and district councils and the Essex police, fire and crime commissioner.

The council said the rise has been triggered by the reduction in the Government’s revenue support grant which is set to be phased out entirely from next year.

The council’s finance boss Louise McKinlay said: “This budget is planning for the Essex of tomorrow.

“How we provide services is changing. Doing things the same way we did ten years ago will not work.

“Yet we’re rising to these challenges and have set a budget that will support and reflect these changes to ensure we can seize opportunities across the county.

“Inflation, population growth and increasing demand and expectation mean we plan to utilise the Government’s 1 per cent increase for social care and thus increase council tax by 3.99 per cent.

“We believe this strikes the right balance between asking people to pay a little extra to ensure the services people need and rely on are provided and our ambitions for the future can be met.”

The council’s cabinet will meet to approve the proposals next Tuesday before the full council have its vote next month.

Residents could face further financial blows should the police, fire and crime commissioner decide to increase its precept when it is discussed next week.

Last year taxpayers were warned their contribution could double from £12 to £24.

Colchester Council is also set to increase its council tax demand.

Last October, David King, Colchester Council’s councillor responsible for resources, said the council will ask for a 3 per cent increase in its share of the council tax when it sets its precept next month.

A spokesman said no figure had yet been decided and the issue will go before the Cabinet in due course.