BRENTWOOD Council has made a bold move to do more with less and will reduce council tax in 2012/13.

Leader of the council, councillor Louise McKinlay, announced council tax will decrease by 2.1 per cent in the next financial year at tonight's budget setting meeting at Brentwood Town Hall.

The decision, which will come into effect in April, will save the average Band D household £3.67 a year.

Brentwood's only Labour councillor, Mike Le Surf was the only member of the council to reject the budget, although he said he did approve of the council tax reduction, along with other money saving measures within what Conservative councillor for Shenfield Peter Baker hailed as "a Paul Daniels budget".

Even members of the council's opposition could not vote against the Tory administration's proposals.

Lib Dem leader David Kendall said it would be "stupid to put political dogma in front of what is best for Brentwood residents".

As well as the reduction in council tax, the authority also plans to plough an extra £350,000 investment into frontline services.

More reaction and comment to follow.