THE district council is set to deliver an even lower council tax increase than expected of 1.5 per cent.

Epping Forest District Council had been expected to announce a 2.5 per cent increase but its finance and performance management committee voted for the lower figure.

Finance portfolio holder Cllr Chris Whitbread said: “I wanted to do something for the residents. I believe in lower taxes. This is one of the lowest increases in many years- maybe a decade. We are in good order because we have made good decisions over past years.”

The council's Liberal Democrat group had also recommended the 1.5 per cent increase.

Group leader Jon Whitehouse said: “In recent years the district council has raised money from taxpayers and put much of it straight in the bank, increasing reserves to levels which are way above the guidelines.

“Many residents are facing financial difficulties this year so the Liberal Democrats are arguing for a lower council tax increase."

The recommended increase will now go to the cabinet meeting on Monday, February 1.