PEOPLE will have to fork out an extra £39 in council tax from April.

Essex County Council is asking residents in Band D to pay an extra £33.57, an increase of 2.97 percent.

Meanwhile, people will also have to pay an additional £4.95 to Essex Police and £1.35 to the fire and rescue service.

Epping Forest District Council agreed to freeze its council tax at a budget meeting on Tuesday, February 21.

Council leader, Cllr Chris Whitbread, said: “I am delighted we have managed to freeze our own share of the council tax for the seventh year running.

“Looking forward it is our ambition to remain a low - tax council giving our residents best possible value for money.”

The authority have also agreed on a plan to invest £125 million into capital over the next five years and reduce rent for council tenants by one percent.

Cllr Whitbread added: “There is good news everywhere in this budget. Good judgement, protection for frontline services and good news for our residents.

“We are working better and we are working smarter. Year on year we have become a tighter ship, investing in people, processes and policies to produce the most efficient council we can - a council fit for the future.”