Residents in the Rochford District Council area are set for the lowest rise in their Council Tax since it started in 1993.

The increase in Council Tax for Rochford District Council residents in the 12 months from April this year will be 1.96 per cent – a rise of just £3.87 for a Band D property in 2010/2011.

The rise in Council Tax means that residents in the Rochford District Council area will be paying just 7p extra per week for all of their District Council services.

The District Council has several priorities over the coming year:

• Helping local businesses and the local economy
• Reducing the impact of the Council on the environment
• Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park
• Extending Hall Road Cemetery

These are in addition to the important services the Council provide: Environmental Services, Leisure Services, Planning and Transportation and Revenues and Benefits. Rochford District Council is committed to giving residents the best value for money. As an example, our waste collection service won a National Recycling Award thanks to residents efforts at helping us achieve recycling rates of nearly 70 per cent.

Rochford District Council will be agreeing its budget for the next financial year, 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, at its meeting on 26 January 2010.

Rochford District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, Councillor Peter Webster, said: “This year our Rochford District residents have the lowest Council Tax rise since the Council Tax was introduced in 1993. Rochford District Council has always endeavoured to make savings and this has benefitted our community, our environment and our local economy. Indeed, in 2009/10, we estimate we will deliver savings of £350,000.”