RESIDENTS in the Braintree district will be able to worry about their wallets a little bit less after council bosses announced a tax freeze.

Braintree Council has agreed to freeze its share of the council tax for the coming year in light of the financial strain the pandemic is putting on residents.

After a cabinet meeting held on February 8, members considered a range of options in regard to council tax and decided to set a zero council tax increase for the year.

The budget was given the green light during the a full council meeting on Monday, February 22 with the council tax resolution being approved by a tax committee on Wednesday.

Council Leader Graham Butland said: “I am pleased Full Council has agreed to freeze our share of council tax because we want to support our residents as much as we can.

"For many, this year has been as much about a decline in financial circumstances as much as health.

"Providing help through the pandemic while also fulfilling a legal duty to set a balanced budget and provide essential services remains extremely challenging.

"Because of prudent financial management in previous years, we will not increase our share of the council tax this year.

"Unfortunately, it isn’t something we can do every year, but it will mean that during this coming year residents will not have to find extra money.”

Councillor David Bebb, Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, added: “Years of sound financial management has enabled us to do this.

"Our budget this year as a whole can be summed up as one that puts the economic, environment and supporting residents at its heart.

"We are still able to invest in what matters.

"Residents may still see their overall bill increase depending on decisions taken by the other authorities, but the portion of your council tax that Braintree Council requires will be frozen and residents will not have to find extra money for our services.”