COUNCIL bosses are looking to help support residents through a second year of Covid-19 restrictions after announcing this year’s budget.

Halstead Town Council has set out plans to help residents and businesses who found it tough during a pandemic-stricken 2020.

The council is to keep car parking charges at current prices while also continuing the ‘free after 3pm’ concession scheme and freezing charges for hall lettings and allotments.

Clubs and organisations will also see will also see the total budget for council grants rise by £2,000 to £4,000, with applications opening in April this year.

Halstead mayor Mick Radley said: “The council has suffered a big impact upon its finances in 2020/21 due to the Covid-19 restrictions but in this budget we’ve recognised the difficult time for businesses and residents by minimising cost increases as we all start to recover in 2021.

“The budget includes funding for a return of all of the normal events and activities that we have enjoyed in previous years.

“The council hopes that as the restrictions are lifted in the coming months we can put on these events once again.

“To support businesses and residents as we come out of the Covid-19 restrictions the council has decided to freeze all car park pay and display and permit charges for 2021/22 at the current prices.

“The ‘free after 3pm’ car park concession will continue and all charges for hall lettings and allotments will also be frozen for the same period.

“To help and support local clubs and organisations the total budget for grants has been increased from £2,000 to £4,000 in 2021/22.”

However, in order to pay for the new support measures, the town council has announced there will be a small tax increase.

The town council’s share of overall council tax bills will go up by two per cent – adding 93p a year to an average band D property’s bill.

Council tax bills also include payments to district and county councils and Essex police and fire services.