RESIDENTS in Halstead face a 7.2 per cent increase in the amount they pay to the town council – but parking fees are to remain unchanged.

The budget and precept for 2017/18 was approved by Halstead Town Council at a full town council meeting on Monday.

The budget includes freezing the hourly parking charges at both the Chapel Street and Butler Road car parks.

It also includes a continuation of the ‘free after 3pm’ parking scheme, as well as plans to continue the events and services provided by the council.

However, following a further reduction in funding from central Government to Braintree Council, the town council has been informed of a £7,008 reduction in the Localism Grant Halstead Town Council receive.

The grant is usually used by the council to fund some of the events and services it provides within the town.

The council will attempt to recover this loss through a £1.86 increase in Band D Council Tax.

Alongside a general increase of 2 per cent, 83 pence, the overall increase in the Band D Council Tax will be £2.69 per year, or around 7.2 per cent.

The Band D Council Tax will increase from £41.64 in 2016/17 to £44.35 in 2017/18, resulting in a total precept for Halstead of £167,206 in 2017/18.

Halstead residents face an almost certain rise in the amount of council tax they pay to Essex County Council, which is facing a social care funding crisis.

Braintree Council, and the fire and police authorities, have yet to announce whether to freeze their portions of council tax or hike them.