COLCHESTER Council’s Cabinet has announced the authority’s spending plans.

Paid for with a council tax rise of more than £5 per houeshold, or 2.97 per cent, the council has committed to spending on issues including fighting crime and improving safety and cleaning the streets.

The council’s budget has allocated just short of £2.4 million investment from the New Homes Bonus, which will cover the Northern Gateway sports hub development and Revolving Investment Fund.

An extra £150,000 on top of the £330,000 already allocated over two years will be given for the extra policing resource which includes Team Ten and the Town Centre Action Plan.

The three additional street cleaning operative roles which were created in 2018/2019 will be maintained at a cost of £100,000.

Further cash has also been allocated to progress the borough’s Local Plan, a total of £450,000, and rural projects and the Colchester Orbital project, to improve cycling and walking routes, will be given £150,000.

A pot of £700,000 will be available to support what has been described as “other key strategic priorities”.

Savings of £1.5 million will be found, primarily through efficiency savings and improving methods of working.

David King, councillor responsible for resources, said: “There is no doubt councils are facing some difficult and serious financial pressures because of reduced government funding.

“Nevertheless, we are managing these fiscal pressures well and getting the balance right.

“This is a prudent budget. It continues to reflect our commitment to regeneration and improvement.

“It will allow us to continue to provide high quality services and to invest in long-term projects such as the Northern Gateway.

“But it also keeps money back in reserves and balances, to ensure we can meet problems as they arise.”

The budget will go before full council next month for approval.

The demand by Colchester Council will be added to those made by Essex County Council and the Essex police and fire services.