COUNCIL tax is set to be frozen for Thurrock residents after the Conservative cabinet recommended no increase in the upcoming budget.

In 2018, the Conservative’s budget was put forward with a 1.99 per cent general Council Tax increase – where 95 per cent of councils across the UK raised the bill by 2.99 per cent.

And the council is continuing the trend, recommending it moves into the 2019/20 budget round with no increase to general council tax.

Councillor Shane Hebb, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: “Our long-term economic plan is working – the services that residents use and depend are nearly seven years stronger and safer, under just three years of Conservative leadership.

“We are on track to balance our budget not just this year with a one off surplus, but they will be balanced years into the next decade.

“Therefore, with our financial resilience, must come with a benefit for Thurrock residents – so we will not be proposing to increase tax by 2.99 per cent, or 1.99 per cent, or indeed 1 per cent.

“Our proposed recommendation going into next year is to not raise our portion of council tax at all.”