Ratepayers in North Weald will see their bills rise from April after the parish council agreed to a tax hike.

North Weald Bassett Parish Council voted last week to increase its council tax precept for the 2017/18 financial year by two per cent.

The rise will see a homeowner in a Band D property paying roughly £1.30 extra each year into the parish council’s coffers.

The move comes as the council tries to balance its books to accommodate a £10,000 cut in the money it receives from central government over the next three years.

The parish’s budget includes £3,000 for Weald Common, £3,000 for street lighting and a £3,000 contingency fund should the Government decide to cap local councils' spending.

A further £3,000 has also been ring-fenced for a 'New Home Fund' should the parish council move out of its current base at North Weald Library.

The tax hike is likely to spell more gloom for North Weald taxpayers, after Essex Police is proposed a 3.35 per cent hike in its council tax precept last month.

The force wants to use the increase, which would raise £3.1 million through a rise of £4.95 per year on a Band D property, to fund extra officers on the beat across the county.

The Guardian Series also reported in January Waltham Abbey Town Council was set to increase its precept by 1.95 per cent in the next financial year.

The tax hike, which will boost the council’s funds by an extra £2 per household each year, means a resident living in a Band D property in the area will now be paying £130 a month in council tax.

The move will see those living in the town paying some £500 more a year than people living at similar properties in Epping, where the town council chose once again to freeze its precept.

However, Epping Forest District Council has agreed to freeze its share of council tax for a seventh consecutive year.

The local authority has claimed it has been able to prevent an increase in its precept despite widespread government cuts due to “good financial planning”.