Council tax in Chelmsford will rise by 2.96% as the council faces uncertain costs amid restructuring plans.
They approved a budget, yet big changes are coming. Chelmsford’s council will disappear later as its services merge into a bigger Essex group. The government wants councils to pay for this change, which might cost millions.
Essex wants more government power. Essex, Southend, and Thurrock bid together. Over a couple of years, 15 councils will shrink, potentially becoming five big councils providing all local services. The exact new borders are not yet clear.
Chelmsford thinks funding will drop because the government might change how money works, which could reduce grants and business rates money.
Council tax only pays some service costs, said Chris Davidson. The council will now charge for green waste bins. Council tax helps a bit, Davidson explained, only paying for about a fifth of services. It does not even cover required things, including rubbish, cleaning roads, and helping the homeless.
Without green bin charges, choices were hard, as pools, centers, or museums could close and less money would be available otherwise. Government support will likely fall more later on, and the changes’ cost is also unclear. Charge fees, like most others do, or cut things. That is what remains.
Chelmsford City Council ends in 2028. The current council wants to protect services, giving the new council a good start in the future.