COLCHESTER Council has rubber stamped its budget for the upcoming year as the town looks to move past the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Conservative-led council has hailed a success after spending £21.7 million in total without cutting or reducing services, despite forecasting an expenditure of £25 million.
The money in the council’s pocket for the next year is £21.8 million with a range of ambitious projects being pledged.
But it expects to see nearly £100 million become available in total when incorporating external funding such as the £18.2 million Town Deal fund.
However, concerns have been raised about a decision to increase council tax in the borough by £4.95, despite soaring petrol prices and the skyrocketing cost of living.
The council’s agreed budget has set aside £100,000 to develop a new town centre masterplan, including a new bus station which has been agreed with transport bosses at Essex County Council.
Read more: Council leader admits 'regret' as council tax to rise this year
A further £290,000 will be invested in the younger generation, with £170,000 and £120,000 heading to youth centres in Stanway and Highwoods respectively.
A total of £370,000 is to be spent on restoring Holy Trinity Church, in Church Street, alongside heritage funds, with a view to eventually repurpose it as a permanent hub for charity Community360.
Meanwhile, “about £250,000” will be used to restore the cemetery chapel, which has been left derelict since 2003.
There will also be the completion of the £2 million Stanway Community Centre and £1.8 million Highwoods Community Centre.
A further £15,000 has been allocated for research at Gosbecks Archaeological Park and £40,000 will be spent on new CCTV cameras to ramp up security across the borough.
A huge £34.6 million is to be poured into Greenstead utilising the Town Deal fund, Estates Regeneration Fund and external funding.
Investments in the Wilson Marriage Centre, digital working building in Queen Street and super-fast broadband will cost £7.1 million, of which £6.2 million will be sourced externally.
Council leader Paul Dundas said: “I am optimistic we’ve got probably the most ambitious investment package for Colchester seen in a generation.
“Over the next few years this investment will bring a lot of good things we can all be excited about.”
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