BASILDON Tories have proposed to freeze council tax as part of their alternative budget for 2018-19.

Tomorrow the council will hold a full council meeting to outline its budget plans for this financial year.

Some of the proposals include allocating a £700,000 investment programme for local communities to install CCTV at Wickford Memorial Park, Nevendon Park, Northlands Park and Market Road in Wickford.

Another recommendation is to increase council tax by three per cent to improve the council’s services to residents.

Tory leader Phil Turner said if his party returns to administration in May they would freeze council tax.

He said: “We’re one of the most expensive councils in Essex and we’re not going to charge residents anymore than we have to.

“It’s just irresponsible and outrageous proposal by the administration because our finances are in pretty good order.”

They will also focus on investments to rejuvenate all towns. Mr Turner said: “We’ll bring back free Saturday car parking in Billericay and Wickford to encourage more visitors to shop there, and we’ll polish Laindon and turn it into something to give it an identity. We will reinstate the investment for Billericay High Street, as this was taken away by the administration because of political spite.”

Ways to make savings include restructuring staff payments, cutting some investment proposals and scrapping the £300,000 project to revamp the council chambers.

Leader of the Labour Party, Gavin Callaghan, said a majority of residents wanted to increase council tax.

He said: “Out of the 241 people who completed the online survey for our public consultation to increase council tax, 66 per cent agreed they’re willing to pay more to improve services.

“I think the Conservative party’s idea to freeze council tax is the height of financial irresponsibility. We’ve a budget gap of £4.1million, and the uncertainty of what our council income will be so we need to make appropriate plans to ensure we have enough to provide services to residents.

“The Tories froze council tax in 2014 and they still lost seats. I’m not sure if this is a good political gamble.”