A Conservative Budget that boosts the economy, environment, support families, roads, social care and education has been unveiled and approved at a meeting of Essex County Council today (23rd February 2021).
The ambitious plans match the ambitious policies of the Conservative led Council and will ensure Essex Bounces Back from COVID.
As well as ensuring Council Tax is frozen the Conservatives have also announced that:
- £1m to improve the environment through community action,
- £750k to continue a fund for Councillors to champion local projects,
- £7.2m investment into Local Highways Panel to improve local roads,
- £1m extra investment into Mental Health Care,
- £1.5m to establish an Education Recovery Task Force and expand Summer Camps,
- £500k to tackle child exploitation, violence, and gang culture,
- £2m to boost the reopening of the economy.
Cllr David Finch, Leader of the Council said: “This is a budget for all ages groups in Essex and promotes the reopening of our society after this awful pandemic. As Conservatives we believe in only taking money we need to spend on services for the people. That is why we are not increasing Council Tax. There is a small 1.5% rise for Adult Social Care, but I don’t think anyone needs to explain why we need to invest more money in caring for our older population especially right now.”
Cllr. Chris Whitbread, Cabinet Member for Resources said: “During the last 10 years we have helped Essex recover from the recession, kept Council Tax below inflation but now through our expert financial ability we are now investing in the recovery from COVID. We are proud of this work and we know with our continued work at County Hall we can ensure a brighter future for every resident.”
