Tendring District Council (TDC) leaders have set out their initial budget proposals for 2025/26.

The council’s Cabinet considered the authority’s current financial position and approved the initial proposals at a meeting on Friday, 20 December.

Next year’s budget is currently based upon a 2.99% rise in the TDC element of council tax bills – putting an average Band D home on £199.52 per year, or just under £3.85 per week. This is an increase of £5.79 over the year – or just over 11p per week.

The initial figures take into account a provisional government funding settlement of £2.2million for 2025/6.

Councillor Mark Stephenson, TDC Leader, said while many councils across the country are facing financial challenges, TDC remains in a stable position thanks to its long-term approach to financial planning.

“We continue to take a managed approach with good financial housekeeping at its foundation, including good awareness of the financial challenges that we face,” he said.

“This approach is invaluable in managing our way through the next few years.

“One of the biggest challenges remains homelessness with a significant increase in the budget proposed to help us meet the associated costs.

“This would be even higher if we had not successfully completed the Spendells House temporary housing accommodation scheme earlier in the year.

“We have identified a number of savings to date and we continue to develop a savings plan as part of our highlight priorities, which means any decision over savings that need to be made will be well-thought out rather than having to make knee-jerk cuts.

“In line with Our Vision, the council’s corporate plan, we are committed to being open and transparent about our finances and how decisions are made.”

Final budget proposals will be agreed by Cabinet in January, after going through scrutiny, before a final decision by full council in February.