Braintree District Council is proposing a freeze on council tax to support residents with the continuing cost-of-living crisis.
If approved, the freeze would affect the council’s share of the council tax bill in 2026/27, which makes up around 9 per cent* of the total council tax charge.
This means the amount paid to the council for a Band D property would remain at £206.01 a year or £3.96 a week. The council will also maintain its Local Council Tax Support scheme, assisting more than 7,000 low-income households.
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 proposals include a further £400,000 over the next two years for continued cost-of-living support, £255,000 for festive lights, and £1 million to support the implementation of local government reorganisation, ensuring key services continue without disruption.
Councillor Community Grants will continue, with funding per councillor rising from £1,250 to £1,500, enabling more support to local projects. Garden waste subscription fees will remain frozen and an extra £150,000 will go towards environmental initiatives including more tree and bulb planting schemes.
An allocation of £3.8 million will include improvements to playgrounds and upgrades to a facility that processes recycled materials. This is in addition to the council’s existing £17 million capital investment programme which will see a new community centre in Witham, town centre improvements and upgrades to community buildings. Significant investment is also being made which will enhance waste and recycling services, increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
These proposals are achievable because of the council’s long-standing approach to careful financial management and planning, which encompasses managing risk responsibly, operating within its means and investing wisely.
The council acknowledges 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, the council is taking proactive steps to streamline operations and make savings in an effort to protect services and ensure a stable financial position in the future.
Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “Freezing our portion of council tax is one of the most direct ways we can support residents during the ongoing cost‑of‑living crisis. We know many households continue to feel the pressure and this proposal reflects our commitment to easing that burden while still investing in the services and improvements our communities rely on.”
Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance at Braintree District Council, said: “These proposals are only possible because we have taken a disciplined and strategic approach to managing our finances. Our long‑term planning has put us in a position where we can freeze council tax, continue services uninterrupted and invest in key areas despite the financial pressures facing local government.”
Braintree District Council will spend more than £50 million delivering over 100 services to more than 150,000 residents this financial year, from waste collection, recycling, and street cleaning to planning and landscape services, leisure, parks and open spaces, and housing.
The 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.
[*Braintree District Council collects the full council tax amount on behalf of all authorities, but its 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%), all of which set their own charges.]