Having called for a freeze on
numerous occasions, Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East
Thurrock, has welcomed Basildon Council’s decision to freeze Council Tax for
another year.
This latest move will mean
that residents are in real terms paying less than they were three years ago.
Mr Metcalfe commented: “This
is great news for Basildon residents. Under the previous Labour Government,
Council Tax in Basildon more than doubled. This Conservative led council is
committed to ensuring that this does not happen again so that more money is in
people’s pockets where it rightly belongs.”
Residents living in a Band D
property will once again pay £252.81 towards the borough’s portion of this
year’s overall Council tax. This will be added to the amounts set by Essex
county council, Essex Fire Authority and The Essex Police Authority to give the
total Council Tax Paid – which last year was £1538.
Stephen Metcalfe has also
praised Basildon Council for their stringent fiscal policies which have made
the freeze possible.
He said: “I must congratulate
Basildon Council on being able to deliver this freeze. They started making
savings in 2008 and this has put them in a strong position now, and for the future.
“Fortunately, because the
Council has planned ahead, Labour have not been able to do to Basildon what
they did to the country.”
“I now hope that Thurrock
Council, Essex County Council and the Fire and Police Authorities will also
follow suit and freeze their proportion of Council Tax, giving hard pressed
Council Tax payer a well earned respite from ever increasing rises.”
