Council tax freeze proposed in Braintree alongside 'pride of place' fund boost

Braintree District Council has proposed freezing its share of council tax for 2026/27, keeping the Band D charge at £206.01, and plans extra funding for community projects including £255,000 for festive lights and £400,000 over two years for cost-of-living support.

Braintree District Council has proposed freezing its share of council tax for 2026/27 and keeping the Band D charge at £206.01 a year. The draft budget also maintains the Local Council Tax Support scheme that assists more than 7,000 low‑income households. The plans allocate new money for community, environmental and economic projects while aiming to avoid service cuts. Council leaders say the proposals respond to ongoing cost pressures while seeking to protect services and invest in local projects. Key points: - The council proposes freezing its portion of council tax for 2026/27, leaving the Band D amount at £206.01 a year (£3.96 a week). - The Local Council Tax Support scheme will be maintained and supports more than 7,000 households. - Budget items include £255,000 for festive lights and £400,000 over two years for continued cost‑of‑living support. - Garden waste subscription fees would be frozen and an extra £150,000 is earmarked for eco‑initiatives such as tree and bulb planting. - Around £1m is proposed to support local government reorganisation work and a £3.8m fund is allocated for playground improvements and an upgrade to a recycling processing facility. - The proposals sit alongside an existing £17m capital investment programme covering a new Witham community centre, town centre improvements and waste and recycling service upgrades. Summary: If approved, the council's share of the council tax bill would not increase for 2026/27 and multiple local projects would receive additional funding. The budget will be discussed at the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on January 28, considered by Cabinet on February 5, and the final decision is scheduled for Full Council on February 16.