COUNCIL tax has been frozen for another year by Basildon Council.

The decision to freeze tax for the fifth year will be announced at the authority’s cabinet meeting next week.

Councillor Stuart Sullivan, cabinet member for resources, said: “Despite a £1.7 million drop in funding from the government we will be freezing council tax for the fifth year in succession.

“Despite a 15 per cent drop in funding we will not be cutting front line services or passing on the financial burden to hard working taxpayers.

“We are managing to get the basics right and deliver the essential services that everyone expects such as collecting the bins, keeping the streets clean and a range of other essential activities whilst delivering value for money.”

Council leader Phil Turner added: “Residents have been in the depths of austerity but I hope they will agree that we have protected them and our front line services that they value and rely on over many years.

“Despite the reductions in our grant we have still held council tax at zero and over the last four years seen a small reduction.

“All this and we still continue to look to improve the way of life for our residents in the regeneration of our towns, the education of our children and the economic development of our industry that all contributes to giving Basildon residents the opportunity and prosperity now and for the future.”

Essex County Council has also pledged to freeze its part of the tax for the fifth year but Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston wants to increase the policing precept by just under two per cent.

The Basildon Council budget will be discussed by full council on 19 February.