Conservative councillors have promised Billericay they will reduce council tax if they are re-elected at the local government election.

Basildon's Tory council leader Malcolm Buckley has pledged to reduce the tax increase if David Dadds, Stephen Horgan and Kevin Blake retain their seats next month.

Mr Dadds is one of three councillors in the Billericay East ward, while Mr Horgan holds office in Billericay West and Mr Blake is in Burstead.

Mr Buckley said: "Our main concern is to reduce the increase in council tax because the 9.8 per cent is an unacceptable level. We will be looking at bringing it under control."

The council will also focus on environmental matters such as recycling and making sure planning applications are only granted when in keeping with the area.

Candidates standing against the Tories in Billericay are Lib Dems James Edwards (East), Geoffrey Taylor (West) and Belinda Jackson (Burstead). Labour's candidates are Patricia Reid (East), Geoffrey Viney (West) and Margaret Viney (Burstead).

Published Thursday, April 10, 2003

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