Heybridge Parish Council has reduced the portion of annual council tax that residents pay for parish services by 4.8 per cent for 2021/22.

Just a small fraction of the total amount paid by residents goes to parish or town councils, with more going to the district council and the greatest part going to Essex County Council, as well as payments for police and fire services. Maldon District Council collects the total amount in and then distributes it to all those authorities.

For the financial year starting this month (March 2021), Heybridge Parish Council has been able to reduce the amount of council tax residents pay to it per year (the parish precept) from £75.49 for an average Band D household in 2020/21 to £72.84 .

A spokesperson for Heybridge Parish Council said: "This reduction has been achieved by the careful husbandry of resources, despite receiving very little income for Plantation Hall over the past year.

"We have produced a budget that allows for savings to residents without compromising the service Heybridge Parish Council currently offers and protects a planned, ambitious programme of new facilities and activities for 2021/2022 as lockdown restrictions are lifted.

"Heybridge Parish Council members and staff are committed to working well for our Heybridge community."