An extra �1.2m is set to be invested in improving the borough’s roads, pavements and streets and encouraging business growth.

Havering Council’s cabinet will meet next Wednesday (February 8) to consider a budget plan, in which Council Tax will not be increased.

The new measures will be paid for by using extra funds from the government’s New Homes Bonus over the next two years.

The Conservative administration is also putting aside �2.5m of reserves to guard against future reductions to Havering’s funding from the government.

Council leader, Cllr Michael White, said: “I am so pleased to be able to make this announcement.

“Residents have consistently told us that their priorities are clean, safe streets and better pavements and we’re investing more to meet these priorities.

“At the same time, we’re committed to keeping council tax as stable as possible, so we’re planning a further freeze on Council Tax, so as not to put more strain on household budgets.

“We need to save �40m over the next three years and we’ve already set out ambitious plans to slash red tape and reduce running costs, while protecting frontline services.

“So we’ve balanced our budget without closing libraries or parks and we’ve protected the weekly bin collection that residents expect.”

If approved next week, the plans will be put to all other councillors on February 22.