Conservative led Essex County Council has listened to the views of local people’s in shaping this year’s budget.
Despite considerable financial pressures, because of spiralling inflation caused by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, the Conservative Council has brought forward a balanced budget with additional investment in top local priorities including highways and social care.
At the Full Council meeting on Thursday 9th February County Councillor’s welcomed the news that there would be an additional £9 million to improve roads and pavements across Essex… this is a move which will please all Essex residents, who have noticed increased defects to local roads caused by the recent bout of cold weather.
This is a budget of a council which puts ‘people first’, with half a billion pound for social care to support the county’s most vulnerable adults and children… indeed almost 45% of all County Council Funding goes on providing social care. This year there will also be an increase in payments to foster carers. Also, in there is further investment in Education, improving local schools and increasing the available spaces for pupils. As well as a further £2 million to support targeted ‘levelling up’ initiatives across Essex.
The Council has listened to concerns about proposed change to street lighting and will not go ahead with changes, instead they will maintain current lighting arrangements. It will also continue to provide financial support to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to help tackle violence and crime.
The Conservative Team at County have worked hard to keep the council tax increase down, with an overall increase of 3.5%, with 2% ringfenced for social care. Essex has gone against the trend, unlike other councils across the UK they have not increased their share of tax by the full 5%. The modest overall increase in the County Council’s tax is a third of the inflation rate and equates to the price of pint of milk per week for a Band D property.
The Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Chris Whitbread said, “The budget brought forward today is only achievable because of the sound financial foundations set by the Conservative led Council over many years. The Finance Team have worked tirelessly over recent months to ensure we present a balanced budget which still enables us to invest in the things which are most important to our residents and ensure we are fit for the future”
Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr Kevin Bentley said, “The Conservative administration that I lead will puts people first, therefore I am delighted through this budget we have seen investment in social care supporting the most vulnerable adults and children in Essex. Further to this this budget enables us to extend our ambitious levelling up agenda, which is working to provide opportunity to all, regardless of their postcode. As a resident in the county, I know that the harsh winter has impacted our roads and I am pleased there is space in this budget for us to invest further funds in this area.”
