BASILDON Council cabinet members will discuss proposals to agree a balanced budget for the council for 2024/25, at a meeting of Basildon Council's Cabinet on Thursday, 8 February.

It is likely that the meeting will approve an increase in its portion of council tax paid by local residents of almost three per cent.

A statement from the council says: "​Over the past 12 months we have continued to feel the impact of high inflation, causing everyday essentials – food, fuel, utilities and more – to cost much more than they did a year ago.

"Global challenges continue to impact supply chains and everyday lives for residents and businesses. The council is not immune to these challenges, enduring an increase in the cost of the critical services provided to local people.  ​

"Despite these national and international financial challenges, the Cabinet is able to propose a balanced budget for 2024/25 – a budget which minimises the impact on resident's wallets as far as possible without impacting critical services. ​

"Proposals include increasing the Basildon Council portion of Council Tax bills by 2.98 per cent. This is equivalent to 16p per week for a Band D property.  ​

"This is well below the current level of inflation and only as much as is necessary to continue delivering the services that matter most to local people. Basildon Council's proportion of the Council Tax bill is 14 per cent, as outlined below: ​

• ​71% - Essex County Council   ​
• 14% - Basildon Borough Council   ​
• 11% - Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner   ​
• 4% - Essex Police, Fire and Crime Authority."   ​​

Council leader Cllr Andrew Baggott said: "We understand the pressure local people are feeling as we continue to tackle a number of financial challenges. The council is not immune to these challenges and we need to make some difficult decisions to best serve our whole community. I am pleased we are able to propose this robust budget for the year ahead – protecting the services that matter most to you." ​

​Cllr Stuart Sullivan, Cabinet Member for Resources and Commercial, said: "These budget proposals, and continued effective management of our resources, provide a sound financial base which allows us to continue with and add to our ambitious programme of investment and improvement across the borough. ​

​"To maximise the resources available to us, we will continue to review services for efficiencies. We will cut costs where it is appropriate to do so and invest where we can to modernise the way we work for residents." ​

​If approved by the Cabinet, the proposed budget will then be put before full council for approval at its meeting on 22 February 2024.