Epping Forest freezes council tax
For the fifth year in a row, Epping Forest District Council has announced that council tax in the area will not rise, even though there are major financial challenges to be met.
The decision has been made despite a 60 per cent reduction in funding from central government over the past five years. The average band D charge will stay at its present level of £148.7 when the new budget comes into effect in April.
The council will have to deal with a 14.2 per cent cut in government funding this year, which is slightly lower than many had predicted.
A number of cost-saving measures have allowed for this rate freeze, such as a new waste management and recycling contract signed in December. The new deal should provide a better service for residents, while saving several hundred thousand pounds every year for the council.
There are also plans for a new retail park at Langston Road, which will provide returns on local authority investment, as well as a useful facility for local residents.
A successful £1 million lottery funding bid has allowed the council to continue with a number of cultural projects, including the redevelopment of the Epping Forest District Museum at Waltham Abbey. All projects will be carried out with consideration for the local environment.
In addition to this, the first council houses to be built for many years are nearing completion, providing a valuable resource for the area. To reflect the new developments, council rents will rise by 2.2 per cent.
Efforts will continue to help the district’s most vulnerable people, with targeted initiatives working to prevent homelessness, as well as job creation measures and benefits for those in need.The council’s planned gross revenue expenditure for 2015/16 is £123 million.
Council leader Chris Whitbread said: “This is a good budget for local people, for the 5th year we have been able to freeze the council tax whilst finding savings and protecting the services we all care about.”
Published 23rd February, 2015
© 2015 Estates IT Limited
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