Your local council tax helps fund over 100 services, from waste collection, leisure centres, keeping the streets clean and removing litter, to providing community transport for the vulnerable and helping those in housing need.
Proposed freeze on council tax
Due to the council's prudent financial management, we are proposing a freeze to our share of council tax this year in an effort to support residents with the continuing cost-of-living crisis. If agreed, this means the amount you pay for a Band D property will stay at £206.01 a year or £3.96 a week. We’re also continuing support for low income households, helping more than 7,000 households.
Protection of services and investment in communities
Under the budget proposals, there will be no cuts to council services and additional investment will go towards supporting residents and local communities, with more money for community support, pride-in-place, economic development, and improving accessibility to our services through digitalisation.
Key investment proposals include:
- A further £400,000 over the next two years for continued cost-of-living support
- £255,000 for festive lights
- £1m to support the implementation of local government reorganisation, ensuring key services continue without disruption
- Continuation of the Community Councillor Grants, with funding per councillor rising from £1,250 to £1,500, enabling more support to local projects
- £150,000 for environmental initiatives, including tree and bulb planting schemes
- Freeze to the garden waste subscription service
- £3.8m funding further investment, including playground improvements and upgrades to a facility which processes recycled materials
- Significant investment is also being made which will enhance waste and recycling services, increasing recycling rates and reducing waste.
Prudent approach to managing our finances
These proposals are achievable because of our long-standing approach to careful financial management and planning, which encompasses managing risk responsibly, operating within our means and investing wisely.
Mitigating risks and safeguarding future services
We acknowledge that rising costs, increasing demand for services and ongoing reductions in central government funding will continue to place pressure on budgets in the medium term. With this in mind, we are taking proactive steps to streamline operations and make savings in an effort to protect services and ensure a stable financial position in the future.
How your council tax is shared
We collect the full council tax amount on behalf of all authorities, but our share is 9.4% of the final bill. The remainder is paid to Essex County Council (72%), Essex Police (11.8%), Essex Fire and Rescue (4%) and parish or town councils (2.8%) [Figures for 2025/26].
Councils and other organisations receiving council tax set their own increases, which apply to their individual share.
In other words, for every £1 you pay in council tax, just over 9p goes to Braintree District Council. Essex County Council receives 72p, Essex Police & Crime Commissioner receives 12p, Essex Fire Authority receives 4p and parish and town councils receive 3p.
When will the budget be approved?
These budget proposals will be discussed at the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 28 January and Cabinet on 5 February. The final budget will be decided at a Full Council meeting on 16 February.
Full details of the budget for 2026-27 can be viewed in our Cabinet papers.
You can watch all of our meetings on our YouTube channel.
What support is available?
Help is available if you are experiencing financial difficulties.
- Visit our Council Tax page for council tax support.
- Visit our Cost of living page for a range of support including debt, jobs and career advice, cost of living payments, medical costs and warm rooms.
