Epping Forest sets 2025/26 Council Tax
Council Tax rates for 2025/26 were set at the meeting of Epping Forest District Council on 21 February.
The weekly household payment by a family in an average Band D property to Epping Forest District council will increase by less than 10 pence per week.
Agreeing their own 2025/26 budget earlier in the meeting, Epping Forest District councillors also confirmed what is expected to be one of, if not the lowest district council precept in Essex.
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Council Tax breakdown
Council Tax charge for an average band D property.
| Organisation | 2024/25 charge | 2025/26 charge | Increase £ | Increase % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epping Forest District Council | £167.00 | £171.99 | £4.99 | 2.99% |
| Parish councils * | £82.10 | £87.17 | £5.07 | 6.18% |
| Average local Council Tax | £249.10 | £259.16 | £10.06 | 4.04% |
| Essex County Council (including adult social care precept) | £1,522.53 | £1,579.59 | £57.06 | 3.75% |
| Essex PFCC (Police) | £246.42 | £260.37 | £13.95 | 5.66% |
| Essex PFCC (Fire and Rescue) | £82.62 | £87.57 | £4.95 | 5.99% |
| Total Council Tax band D | £2,100.67 | £2,188.69 | £86.02 | 4.09% |
Of the £2,186.69 collected by Epping Forest District Council for an average Band D household, the district council only retains £171.99, that is 7.9% of the total paid, to provide its own services.
The balance of £2,014.70 is collected by Epping Forest District Council and redistributed to Essex County Council, The office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), and local town and parish councils.
A tough district council budget
Epping Forest District Council has no control over the lion’s share of the Council Tax which mostly goes to Essex County Council, the PFCC, and town and parish councils. District councillors have strived to contain Epping Forest District Council costs as they seek to protect important public services within a balanced budget. The council relies on other methods of generating income to support the vital services it provides. To put this in perspective, the Council Tax the council receives represents 13% of the Epping Forest District Council’s total income.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council regretted the increase in the district council precept even though it equates to less than 10 pence extra a week for an average Band D property.
Echoing points made by Finance Portfolio Holder Holly Whitbread, he expressed his disappointment with the government’s financial settlement which effectively cancels out the 2.99% increase in the district council precept. Inflation and the effect of the increase in employers national insurance contributions have also impacted the budget.
Councillor Chris Whitbread was clear that while significant savings have been necessary to balance the district council budget, Epping Forest District Council remains in a much stronger financial position than many other councils in large part due to the investments it has made and the efficiency of its services. At £172 a year for a Band D property, he said that the district council tax represented incredible value for money.
Epping Forest District Council receives most of its income from a large property portfolio. In addition to large assets such as the Epping Forest Shopping Park and North Weald Airfield, the council has a large property portfolio of retail and industrial units providing a regular income. The recent sale of land to Google resulted in a large capital receipt. While that money remains in the bank, interest from the £88 million sale is also making a significant contribution to public service delivery.
Collaborative process
The development of the district council budget has evolved with close collaboration of all councillors though Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. A further significant costs was identified through the need to transfer direct ownership of Cottis Yard car park from Qualis to the council.
However, through other efficiencies, district councillors worked hard to remove cuts to Citizens Advice Bureau which retains the same contributions as last year. The scale of reduction in funding for Voluntary Action Epping Forest has also been reduced, while Community Transport has also been protected. Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments for councillors is the cessation of additional funding for Essex Police, over and above the normal PFCC precept.
Investment for the future
Epping Forest District Council continues to invest for the future. Following the highly successful introduction of the new waste contract under TVS, completion of the permanent depot hub at North Weald continues. Construction of the new North Weald Airfield control tower is now underway as the council reemphasises its commitment to aviation.
In Epping, local residents can see the daily progress as the new Epping Leisure Centre rapidly takes shape. Further investment is programmed for refurbishment and redevelopment of industrial units in Waltham Abbey.
The Housing Capital Programme of almost £150 million over the next 5 years is split between improvements to existing stock and the building of brand-new council housing for people on the housing waiting list. As well as 85 new build council houses in the pipeline, a further 66 units are anticipated through open market acquisitions by Qualis.
Future challenges
In her conclusion to the budget reports, Councillor Holly Whitbread highlighted some of the challenges facing the council including the impact of local government reform on the medium-term financial strategy.
Setting a budget in the current economic climate is an incredibly difficult task. Protecting one service often comes at the expense of another. But this budget strikes the right balance, it keeps taxes low, protects core services, and remains financially responsible.
I know that local government is never perfect, and new challenges always arise. Our responsibility is to make the best possible decisions for local people, based on facts and reality. I urge members to pragmatically support this budget tonight.
Councillor Holly Whitbread
Other business
In other business, Councillor Chris Whitbread updated councillors on his work with other Essex council leaders and chief executives on local government reform and devolution as we move forward following the government’s white paper published in December 2024. Councillor Whitbread explained the next piece of work is due in mid-March and there much work to be done ahead of the spring.
A report on members allowances were approved with no change. Members allowances have seen no increase and are the second lowest in Essex.
The Local Council Tax Support Scheme was approved and will remain unchanged this year, meaning residents that need it will continue to receive the same level of financial assistance. Councillors also approved the implementation of a new policy that will introduce Council Tax premiums on empty and second homes to encourage homeowners to bring empty properties into use. This policy will bring Epping Forest District Council in line with other Essex councils.
Councillor Tim Matthews, Portfolio Holder for Commercial and Estates shared some updates from Qualis, the council’s wholly owned company. Gardenia Court at Verdant Place, a development in Epping has a practical completion date of 28 February 2025. Waltham Connect a development of four new high-specification industrial units was sold on budget and ahead of schedule. Qualis are also ready to start development at Brooker Road in Waltham Abbey, a development which the council will own after completion.
Councillor Matthews also explained that the council budget is supported by £2 million of annual income from Qualis Group and that since taking over commercial management, Qualis has brought in an addition £3 million for the council over the years, making sure we get best value out of our commercial properties.
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