BAND D householders in North Weald Parish – which includes North Weald Village, Hastingwood and Thornwood Common – will pay 5p less towards the services provided by North Weald Bassett Parish Council in the next financial year than in 2019-20, if a proposed budget is approved by the full council next month.

The proposed figures would see each Band D household paying £85.91 to North Weald Bassett Parish Council in 2020-21.

The budget, proposed by the parish council’s finance and general purposes committee last night (Monday), includes £8,000 towards the cost of the North Weald Bassett Neighbourhood Plan and £3,000 towards ongoing maintenance of Weald Common.

The parish council is also budgeting £2,500 towards the cost of anticipated tree work in the next financial year, £2,000 for work on the Debt of Honour (if the parish council takes over responsibility from Epping Forest District Council) and £1,500 towards the cost of a new gate for the bridleway next to North Weald Cemetery.

The proposed precept, which will go before the full council meeting for ratification on January 13, is for £222,545.