SENIOR councillors have promised Essex taxpayers the lowest council tax in the region.

Cabinet members at County Hall backed plans to freeze council tax and invest £1billion in services during the next five years.

The budget will be voted on by the full council next month.

In 2016/17 the ruling cabinet has promised £276million for road improvements, new school places and services for the vulnerable.

Leader David Finch said: "Despite the continued financial challenges we are facing this budget is one that supports and invests in communities across Essex.

“We are investing in our schools to give our children the best possible start in life, our roads to ensure residents and businesses alike can travel across the county as smoothly and easily as possible and our flood defences to protect our communities.

“It is also a budget that ensures we save hardworking families money by freezing the council tax for the fifth successive year, meaning we will have the lowest council tax of any county council in the eastern region."

£131million has been pledged for roads including £10million over two years on design and consulation to develop the A120 between Colchester and Braintree and the Chelmsford north east bypass.

£79million will be spent providing 3,000 additional primary school places. The council's cabinet also promised to begin a five year flood defence plan.

Under the proposals council tax for a band D property for the Essex County Council segment will be £1,086.75 next year.