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.
Freezing our share of council tax for 2026-27
Due to the council's prudent financial management, we are freezing our share of council tax this year to support residents with the continuing cost-of-living crisis.
The freeze means residents will see no rise in the council’s portion of council tax, which makes up around nine per cent of the total council tax charge.
The freeze will apply to all property bands, with the charge for a Band D property (as an example) remaining at £206.01 a year or £3.96 per week.
The local council tax support scheme will also continue to assist more than 7,000 low-income households.
Protection of services and investment in communities
Despite the freeze, there will be no cuts to services. Instead, the budget includes additional investment to strengthen support for residents and communities, with more money set aside for community support, pride-in-place, economic development and improvements to the accessibility of services.
Some of the key priorities shaping this year’s budget include:
- £400,000 over two years for continued cost-of-living support, on top of a £1m fund which has delivered - and continues to deliver - a successful programme of support
- £255,000 over three years to fund festive lights in Witham, Halstead and Braintree, in an effort to support town centre businesses
- £1m to support the implementation of local government reorganisation, ensuring key services continue without disruption
- Continuation of community councillor grants, with funding rising from £1,250 to £1,500 per councillor, enabling more support for local projects
- £150,000 for environmental initiatives, including tree and bulb planting schemes
- A freeze to the garden waste subscription service giving residents access to a high quality and reliable service without additional cost
- £3.8m to fund further investment, including playground improvements and upgrades to a facility that processes recycled materials collected from households across the district
- Major upgrades to waste and recycling services, increasing recycling rates and reducing waste
Prudent approach to managing our finances
This budget is 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 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 around 9% of the final bill. The remainder is paid to Essex County Council (72%), Essex Police (12%), Essex Fire and Rescue (4%) and parish or town councils (3%) [Provisional split for 2026/27].
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 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?
The budget was approved at a Full Council meeting on Monday 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.
