A COUNCIL has been slammed for raising council tax when it has almost £6 million sitting in reserves.

At A full council meeting on Wednesday night, Castle Point Council approved a 2.96 per cent rise in council tax for the borough.

But during the meeting, the council revealed that it’s general reserves stood at £5,839 as of April 2017, and are likely to only have decreased to £5,509 by April this year.

The council’s ‘safety’ level is £2,000, meaning anything above this is available to the council for projects.

The 2.96 per cent council tax increase will see Band D residents pay £250.56 per year to Castle Point Council, £7.20 more than the last financial year.

And residents have been left to wonder why they are facing a tax hike when the council appears to have a wealth of money in reserve.

Sue Brooke, of Canvey, said: “I can’t say too much as I haven’t seen the meeting yet, but what you’re saying is disgusting.

“How can the council justify that? And what are we getting in return.

“Look at the paddocks, look at the regeneration projects, there is so much money could be spent on.”

Last year council tax increases were set up as a maximum two per cent increase, extended to three per cent for the next financial year.

During the meeting, Dave Blackwell, leader of Canvey Independent Party, slammed the proposed rise.

He pointed towards failed regeneration projects across council point, as well as numerous failed local plans which have cost millions to put together.

The councillor stated there was no way he could support the tax rise, questioning what residents would receive for their increased council tax payments to Castle Point Council.

During the meeting, Jeffrey Stanley, chairman of Finance, Policy and Resources, said: “I know there have been some comments that Castle Point has quite a high level of reserves.

“We will reduce our reserves as projects come forward that we can spend them on.”

Adding: “Nobodyt likes putting up tax but unfortunately nothing in life stays the same.

You will remember we had several years where we had no council tax increases but the fact of life is just looking at inflation and the general economy, it needs to rise by the three per cent.