Conservative–led Brentwood Council has announced a 2.1% cut in Council Tax, while raising spending on front-line services by nearly 8%.
An extra £340,000 will be invested in the local economy, improving the environment and supporting community projects and local democracy.
To fund the tax cut and new services, the council has reduced running costs by more than £1.7m. Big savings have been made from increased efficiencies, stripping out waste, sharing back-office services with other councils and making better use of buildings and facilities.
Fostering investment in the town has brought additional income from the government-sponsored New Homes Bonus.As a result, and despite facing the highest cut in central government grant in the country, the Council has been able to balance its budget and improve key services, demonstrating cuts in budgets don not have to equal cuts in services.