Epping Forest council agree tax rise
Residents face a rise in council tax by £4.69 starting from April.
Residents of Epping Forest are facing a rise in council tax by £4.69 starting from April.
The Epping Forest District Council met on February 28 and approved the increase to £162.15 for Band D properties.
The council has been facing financial pressures due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, which led to a gap in its finances in excess of £4m last year. To close this gap, the council will be going into consultation for redundancies. Some of the jobs that will be cut are vacant positions, but the reduction in staff numbers will lead to some things not being done and increased pressure on those that are left.
Finance portfolio holder Councillor John Philip said that the council had received a better than expected settlement from the government, which had helped it raise council tax by less than the maximum amount allowed without holding a referendum. He also said that £400,000 has been reserved as the council heads into securing a new waste contract. There is also money in the capital budget for a new vehicle depot in North Weald and a new Epping sports center and swimming pool.
However, staffing continues to be a major cost to the council, at approximately £28m. The amount needed for salaries was more than could be achieved through income and financial work, which led to the council making redundancies.