A TOWN council will raise tax by almost six per cent to buy a new van and to cover park upkeep costs.

At a meeting on January 18, Ongar Town councillors voted to up council tax by 5.76 per cent, meaning Band D property owners will pay an extra £6.15, £112.35 in total, next financial year.

The rise, which is triple that imposed by Loughton, Epping and Waltham Abbey town councils, will buy a replacement van for the Open Spaces staff and cover any potential Neighbourhood Plan costs.

It could also plug the financial blackhole that is Jubilee Park.

Although the green space generated £81,059 in the first nine months of the current financial year, takings were eclipsed by outgoings totalling £142,681.

As well as £35,561 on staff wages, £41,477 was spent on grounds maintenance, £7,406 on CCTV and £8,616 on utilities upkeep.

Were it not for £68,193 of takings from the bar and £1,699 from the pavilion’s pool table, the financial situation would have been far worse.

The council predicts income from the bar will also completely cover park outgoings next year, with drinkers hopefully spending £134,500.