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Council Tax rates for 2024 / 2025 were set at the meeting of Epping Forest District Council on 20 February.
The weekly household payment by a family in an average Band D property to Epping Forest District Council will increase by just over 9 pence per week.
Agreeing their own 2024 / 2025 budget earlier in the meeting, Epping Forest District councillors also confirmed what is expected to be the lowest district council precept in Essex.
Of the £2,100.67 collected by Epping Forest District Council for an average Band D household, the district council only retains £167 to provide its own services.
The balance of £1,933.67 is redistributed to:
- Essex County Council £1,522.53
- The office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner £329.04
- Local town and parish councils £82.10
Table showing the Council Tax charge for an average Band D property
| Element | 2023 / 2024 charge £ | 2024 / 2025 charge £ | Increase £ | Increase % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epping Forest District Council | 162.15 | 167.00 | 4.85 | 2.99% |
| Parish and town councils * | 76.19 | 82.10 | 5.91 | 7.76% |
| Average local Council Tax | 238.34 | 249.10 | 10.76 | 4.51% |
| Essex County Council (including adult social care precept) | 1,450.17 | 1,522.53 | 72.36 | 4.99% |
| Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Police Authority) | 233.46 | 246.42 | 12.96 | 5.55% |
| Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Fire and Rescue Authority) | 80.28 | 82.62 | 2.34 | 2.91% |
| Total Council Tax | 2,002.25 | 2,100.67 | 98.42 | 4.92% |
* Parish and town council charges vary between parishes and shown as average values in the table for illustration purposes
Protecting most valued services
Council Leader Chris Whitbread said:
We do much more than just collect the bins. We have closed an initial gap between income and expenditure of £3.7 million at the start of the budget setting process for 2024 / 2025. We have been able to protect some of the most valued discretionary services we provide including our 3 additional police officers to safeguard local residents for at least another year. Highway rangers will continue to clean and maintain our towns, villages and countryside.
While most residents will focus on the headline numbers, Council Tax payments retained by Epping Forest District Council to fund its own services represents less than 8% of the total. Council Tax provides only a fraction of the money needed to deliver district services residents value most.
As central government funding has declined and costs have increased, Epping Forest District Council’s investments in commercial income, including rent from commercial property has become increasingly important.
From pubs to planes, assets as diverse as North Weald Airfield, Epping Forest Retail Park, industrial estates, shops and commercial properties provide essential income. Further income returns on loans to Qualis will be supplemented in years to come as the Council’s wholly-owned company begins to produce dividends from new residential and business developments.
Fees and charges for other activities ranging from pay and display car parks to half-term leisure activities make further contributions.
Epping Forest District Council’s partnership with Places Leisure has assured the provision of existing leisure facilities as well as the development of a brand-new leisure centre for Epping, including fantastic new public swimming pools by the end of 2025.
Many services such as the licensing of shops, taxis and public houses, are regulated by law, producing little income to cover costs. Fees and charges from planning applications, that were expected to support council services last year have been disappointing following a tough year for the construction industry. However, high street businesses continue to thrive, making a substantial contribution to public services through local business rates.
Long term investment in a new depot on the council’s own land at North Weald will help to future proof the delivery of waste and recycling collection services. The sale of another part of the airfield has ensured a healthy capital receipt, with money earmarked for further investment in the Council’s Fit for the Future programme.
We can do it because we are a well-run council
Councillor John Philip, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance believed it is a very good balanced district council budget. He recommended it to councillors before going on to set the overall Council Tax for 2024 / 2025 saying:
We can do it because we are a well-run council.
He was able to give good news, especially for Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) and the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Setting out that while the £88 million land sale to Google cannot be spent on revenue, it can give the council flexibility, including the reinstatement of full funding for VAEF and the CAB.
Councillor Philip was also happy to confirm that Epping Forest District Council will still have the lowest district or borough Council Tax precept in Essex.
Aside from year-on-year revenue spending, Councillor Philip reminded councillors that the budget also includes £200 million of capital spending over the next 5 years, including full funding of Epping Leisure Centre and £140 million dedicated to council housing.
Councillor Philip and Councillor Whitbread were at pains to thank council staff and fellow councillors, especially Councillor David Wixley for the assistance of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in bringing the budget to fruition.
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Other business
In other business, Councillor Sam Kane has stood down from the Cabinet. Councillor Chris Whitbread thanked Councillor Kane for his years of support across a diverse portfolio of Cabinet responsibilities.
Councillor Whitbread also brought councillors up to date on the decision to pause Essex Devolution, discussion held with other councils on homelessness at the North Essex Councils Housing Summit, and partnerships with the police following a visit to see community projects in Waltham Abbey.
Councillor Whitbread was also pleased to report start on site of preparatory works on the brand-new leisure centre in Bakers Lane in Epping.
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