NORTH Weald Bassett Parish Council has approved a two per cent increase its precept for the 2017-18 financial year.

The precept – the amount requested by the parish council to provide its services and support initiatives throughout North Weald, Hastingwood and Thornwood Common – is £175,475.

It means a £1.28 increase in the parish council’s share of Band D council tax bills for the next financial year.

Councillors at last night’s full council meeting voted 9-3 to support the 2017-18 precept increase.

The budget includes £3,000 for Weald Common, £3,000 for street lighting, a £3,000 contingency fund should the Government decide to cap local councils’ spending and £3,000 for a ‘New Home Fund’ should the parish council move out of its current base at North Weald Library.

The council has also had to consider a reduction in the amount of money it will receive from the Government with its Parish Support Grant being reduced by £10,541 over the next three years (by £7,027 in 2017-18 and £3,514 in 2018-19).

The council has earmarked money to repolish the floor at the Parish Hall, Thornwood Common, and also purchase 20 padded chairs and a microwave for the hall.

A contribution of about £500 will be made towards the fundraising for a defibrillator at Thornwood Parish Hall while £500 will cover the cost of annual maintenance and insurance of the CCTV systems at Weald Common and the High Road shops.

Two dog waste bins are to be provided for Blenheim Square while the council will again be offering financial support to two Play in the Park events, at Queens Hall, North Weald, and Thornwood Common.

Donations of £200 are to be made to both the Marie Curie charity and the Essex Air Ambulance.