Taxpayers are being promised millions of pounds of investment in affordable homes and better transport links.

Braintree Council plans to freeze its council tax precept for the fifth consecutive year, while still saving about £1.5million and against a backdrop of more than £1million in Government funding cuts.

Its key projects for the next year include:

* allocating £7.35million from a joint fund with Greenfields Community Housing into new affordable homes.

* aim to build 400 affordable homes by March 2016.

* invest £920,000 in drafting up a new Local Plan, which will cover research, fighting planning appeals and employing more staff in the planning department.

* invest £5million from the New Homes Bonus into projects to boost economic growth including £2.5million towards A120 improvements.


The budget and proposed precept freeze will go before full council on February 16 for a final decision.